Ruben Amorim staunchly defended his decision to continue to exclude Koby Mainu at a press conference ahead of Monday Night Football between Manchester United and Wolves.
Mainu, 20, has yet to start a Premier League game this season and was an unused substitute in Thursday night’s 1-1 draw with West Ham. Amorim was asked a number of questions about the player during a press conference at Old Trafford.
Asked if there was a risk of being demoralized in another game with Mainu left on the bench, Amorim said: “I understand that. I just want to win. I try to place the players. I don’t think about who is who. I don’t care about that. I just try to get the best players on the pitch.”
He added: “We have (Manuel) Ugarte, who played two games. One of them, Case (Miro), was absent, but Bruno (Fernandes) is always in good shape and is a guy who plays his position well, so maybe that has something to do with it.”
Asked if the players departing for AFCON might give the England midfielder a chance, Amorim replied: “I don’t know, I don’t know. It’s the same question. I don’t know what will happen. It depends on the situation. I watched the training and if it’s what’s best for the team then I’ll bring (him) in. That’s the only way I know how to respond to it.”
Asked further whether he understood the questions about Mainu, Amorim said: “Of course I do and it’s my job to answer, but I always try to answer the same thing and you always ask the same thing.
“I understand what you’re saying. You love Covey. He’s going to start for England. But that doesn’t mean I need him to play (even though I feel he shouldn’t). So that’s my decision.”
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Nicky Butt admits he is worried about Koby Mainu’s future under manager Ruben Amorim
Amorim refuses to support the academy
Amorim also hit back when Manchester United’s support for their academy was questioned. It has been suggested that the decision not to play Mainu reflects the club’s lack of faith in their young players.
Responding to claims that he did not play with any academy players, Amorim said: “Are there any players? We have Koby Mainu…”
When the name of 18-year-old winger Shea Lacey came up, he said, “But Lacey…is it a difficult situation? Sometimes when Brian (Mbeumo) is not there, I put Amad because I have other wing-backs to play and sometimes it’s difficult.”
“So you’re asking me why not let Lacey play, when we have other international players and they’re also on the bench. So I’m trying to bring in the best players, the players who are ready to win games at this moment in the club. That’s the only thing.”
United boast a proud record of having named at least one academy graduate in the squad for every match since 1937.
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Scholes says Mainu was ‘ruined’ by Amorim
United legend Paul Scholes on Thursday night aired his frustration at the way Mainu was treated as a substitute.
In a since-deleted Instagram post, Scholes responded to Amorim’s recent comments that he considers Mainu a starter.
“Bull****, this kid is being unplayed and ruined by a team that can’t control the game of football.
“I hate to see homegrown players leave, but this is the best time for him. Enough is enough.”
Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports last month, Scholes said he believes Mainu is doing well without showing any frustration, but that won’t continue if he continues to be away from the team.
“One of the biggest disappointments for me is that Koby Mainu is not in this Manchester United team. We saw how good he was 18 months ago, two years ago, but for some reason it hasn’t fully risen. The manager doesn’t seem to like him very much, but we all know his qualities.
“But the manager just prefers other players for whatever reason and that’s something he has to deal with. I think he’s coping well at the moment, but at some point it’s going to get frustrating.”
Analysis: Amorim’s frustration is clear.
Questions about Mainu have been a constant theme throughout Amorim’s time at Manchester United, and are understandable given that the talented young midfielder was seen as a team-building talent when the Portuguese first arrived.
Remember that Mainu scored the winning goal in United’s FA Cup final victory over Manchester City last May? The team’s other scorer that day, Alejandro Garnacho, has already left the team under difficult circumstances. There are concerns that the Mainu will be next.
Garnacho was a winger who did not quite fit Amorim’s wishes, but Mainu found his path blocked by captain Bruno Fernandes, given that United were operating with just two midfielders and the manager did not have enough faith in him defensively to replace Casemiro.
Given Fernandes’ sturdiness and Amorim’s refusal to tweak his structure under any circumstances, Maynou will struggle to get even a few minutes, let alone start. And there is no sign of a solution in sight. Amorim has always emphasized that he will do this his way.
Of course, that’s a problem for Mainu as well. But it’s also awkward for Amorim. His focus, he insists, is on winning games, rather than bigger objectives such as the club’s proud academy tradition. If he doesn’t win those games, he will be firmly in the spotlight.
