Sports
Roy Keane tells Kobbie Mainoo to ignore “idiot” brother and fight for Man Utd place
Roy Keane has taken aim at one Manchester United star who he believes is “surrounded by idiots” ahead of the January transfer window.
Roy Keane urges Kobbie Mainoo to fight for Man Utd place
The Old Trafford legend delivered his verdict on Kobbie Mainoo’s current situation. The Carrington graduate has been left to watch on from the bench for much of this season after being denied the chance to leave on loan in the summer.
It’s been a topic at the centre of debate around Old Trafford ever since the start of Ruben Amorim‘s tenure and one which has seemingly frustrated those around the midfielder. So much so that Mainoo’s half-brother, Jordan, was pictured wearing a “free Kobbie Mainoo” T-shirt as Man United were held to a frantic 4-4 draw by Bournemouth on Monday.
Having his say on the matter on the latest edition of Stick to Football, Keane didn’t hold back – saying: “Are you telling me he can’t sit there for another six months?
“He might think the manager might be gone in the summer, one or two of the senior players might be gone. He’s 20 years of age, what’s wrong with sitting and learning your trade? And even if you’re not getting a chance, we’ve all had to do it at different levels.
Man Utd now eyeing stunning four-man transfer raid including “brilliant” defender
INEOS could spend big once again.
“Sometimes a manager is on your case and what you have to do is look at a manager and go ‘I’ll prove you wrong’. Every day is your challenge to prove to the manager and when that manager is picking the team I’m going to train like a beast and when you’re writing that team (as a manager) you’re going to go, ‘he has to play’. He’s got to get that in his mindset.
“And when he’s got his idiot of a brother doing all that… we shouldn’t even be giving his brother the time of day. Sometimes you’re just surrounded by idiots, especially the families.”
What next for Kobbie Mainoo?
With Bruno Fernandes also causing plenty of controversy after an interview earlier this week and Bryan Mbeumo heading to AFCON this month, Mainoo’s brother couldn’t have timed his protest any worse. Now, more than ever this season, the midfielder could get his chance to impress Amorim.
It would be to the benefit of everyone involved at Old Trafford if Mainoo earned his place back and got back to his best form.
It wasn’t so long ago when the 20-year-old was scoring FA Cup final goals and earning the praise of Paul Scholes, who said on Instagram: “Just love the way he receives the ball, the calmness, the awareness of what’s around him and of course big goals in big games. This boy is special.”
Whether Mainoo takes Keane’s advice and stays put at Man United next month remains to be seen, however. As things stand, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Everton are all reportedly eyeing his signature.
