Manager Ruben Amorim said Koby Mainu “needs to fight for his job”, suggesting Manchester United could strengthen their squad in the January transfer window.
The 20-year-old has been the talk of the town this season, with the talented midfielder still waiting for his Premier League start after a campaign that started with his loan application rejected.
Mainu looked full of life when he was introduced in Monday’s chaotic 4-4 draw with Bournemouth at Old Trafford, while his half-brother Jordan Mainu Hames wore an eye-catching ‘Free Coby Mainu’ T-shirt.
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The stunt went viral online, with Amorim saying he had no problem with the England international and just wanted him to perform and prove his worth.
Credit – Jordan Mainoo-Hames/Instagram
“Coby needs to fight for his job.”
“He’s a shy boy, but that’s not his fault,” Amorim said. “He is responsible for his actions and his actions were to play well in the last game, so I’m just focused on that.
“At Sporting (Lisbon) there was a situation where my brother wrote something on the internet and I have to answer for it.
“My explanation is, ‘He has his life, he has his opinion, it has nothing to do with me,’ so I’m going to do the same thing with Kobe.
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Manager Rob Dorsett has explained the possibility of Man United selling or loaning academy graduate Koby Mainu in the January transfer window.
“Coby needs to fight for his job. I don’t think it’s a bad thing to be on the Manchester United bench at 20 years old.”
“I remember[Cristiano]Ronaldo was on the bench,[Wayne]Rooney was on the bench sometimes,[Juan Sebastian]Veron wasn’t playing.
“I remember all the history of Manchester United and there is no one who did not fall into this, so let’s continue to try to avoid nonsense and noise.
“Believe it or not, I just want to help the team win and help Coby become a better player.”
Amorim said Mainu could start Sunday’s away trip to Aston Villa, with United missing six first-team players due to a combination of injuries, suspensions and African Cup of Nations activities.
“I don’t want to show anything to anyone,” Amorim said. “All I’m saying is we’re trying to win games and show our players that if you do the right thing, you can play regardless of the name.”
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On Saturday’s Sky Sports social show, Fuad Qadani and Faisal discuss whether Koby Mainu should leave Manchester United after failing to start a single Premier League game this season.
“Amorim hints at January contract”
Amorim revealed that he may switch to a back four rather than stick with his preferred three-man squad to deal with absences during the festival period.
The transfer window opens next month and Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, who the manager last week described as a “special player”, is one of the players to watch as United continue to strive for long-term success.
Asked whether the club had communicated that it had money for January operations, Amorim said: “Let’s wait and see.”
“The only thing we know is that we only try to bring in players that we think are the future.
“We won’t be able to salvage anything at this moment and deal with losing three players for AFCON. It’s not going to happen like that.
“We don’t know what’s going to happen, but there’s a chance we can do something.”
Watch Aston Villa vs Man United on Sky Sports Premier League on Sunday from 4pm, kick-off 4.30pm
