Kobbie Mainoo is a regular bench player for Manchester United under Rúben Amorim.
Manchester United may be celebrating the greatest moment of the Ruben Amorim era after beating Liverpool at Anfield – but for three players, the victory will have served as a painful reminder that they have no long-term future under the Portuguese, and Roy Keane has explained why a high-profile star may simply have to find a new club.
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Amorim’s side arrived at Anfield knowing that recent history spoke against them, and that they hadn’t won there since January 2016, and with some question marks over the Portuguese’s future. Things had improved for him after the previous game after a much-needed win over Sunderland – but he wasn’t out of the woods yet and needed a big performance and a good result from Manchester United against Liverpool.
And oh my god, did the players deliver for him, and in a way! United secured a famous victory at Anfield thanks to an early goal by Bryan Mbeumo in front of the Kop-end, before a late victory came thanks to Harry Maguire’s famous bangs, after a beautifully executed volley from Bruno Fernandes, which was perfectly measured.
The 2-1 victory was celebrated with joy after full-time, and rightly so after the biggest victory of the Amorim era.
Tactically, United were spot on, and the 3-4-2-1 formation presented Liverpool with many challenges and created many openings against the reigning champions.
And while the Player of the Match award went to Maguire, it could just as easily have gone to Matheus Cunha, who put in an outstanding performance in connecting attacks and playing a number of delightful passes.
But for the three men, the win will have served as further proof that they are not part of United’s long-term future, and the victory leaves Kobbie Mainoo with more feelings of uncertainty.
Mainoo, who was again left out of the starting line-up, simply doesn’t fit into Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation and, having missed England’s last two international meetings, there have been plenty of rumours that he could leave the club.
And even though he got to play against Liverpool for the last five minutes, Keane has explained why the time has come for him to find a new club.
Keane assesses Mainoo’s problems at Man Utd – two others also face an uncertain future.
Keane, who spoke before the game started, can understand why Amorim has left him out.
“It’s obviously a problem for Mainoo to get into this team,” Keane told Sky Sports. “Rumour has it that they don’t think he can cover the space fast enough, but if you look at the other midfielders United have, they’re not that good at it either.”
“As a young player, he has to swallow it and work hard. And when he gets the chance, he has to take it.”
“A young player with good potential cannot be guaranteed a place in United’s team. But it will depend on the player himself. Your job every day, every week, is to make sure the manager picks you in the team.”
“If the manager basically doesn’t believe in him? I don’t know. We will find out in the next few weeks. For if he does not believe in him, he may have to let him go.”
“But Mainoo has that opportunity. He was praised when he first came in, he was involved in England’s national team squad. He has to get back to it.”
“He’s had opportunities recently, and when he’s come in and got opportunities, he looks a little short for me. I wouldn’t stand and wonder: Why isn’t he on the team? I can see why he doesn’t choose him at the moment.”
Despite the player wanting to leave, our sources have revealed why United intend to block any attempt to force his way out in January.
However, he is not the only one facing an uncertain future, as Joshua Zirkzee has fallen far down United’s hierarchy.
Having been an unused substitute at Anfield, it’s pretty clear that he doesn’t fit into Amorim’s plans, and with only 74 minutes of Premier League playing time this season, the writing is on the wall.
In that regard, sources have made it clear that the door is open for the Dutchman in January – and his departure could pave the way for a new signing of a centre-forward at Old Trafford.
Things are not looking too bright for Manuel Ugarte either, who once again missed out on a starting spot in favour of a 33-year-old Casemiro.
Hailed as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world when he signed for United – albeit by Dan Ashworth – the Uruguayan has only started twice in the Premier League this season.
And even though he is a reliable option off the bench, the player will be worried about his future and that the manager simply does not believe in him. The fact that United are now prioritising two midfield signings in the two 2026 transfer windows will tell the player everything he needs to know about his place in the hierarchy.
As for the search for a new midfielder, there are concerns about the form of Carlos Baleba at Brighton & Hove Albion, with sources confirming that United are now prioritising two other players over the £100 million-valued Cameroonian international.
Understandably, United’s win over Liverpool has seriously increased the chances that Amorim will remain in charge of Manchester United for the rest of the season, with Dean Jones revealing the current thinking from United’s management around the Portuguese.
Finally, Amorim will have been hugely pleased with the performance of Senne Lammens at Anfield, after his impressive debut against Sunderland.
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United have been told that the 23-year-old can amazingly become “the best in the world”.
