Manchester United’s victory over Chelsea on Saturday evening will no doubt paper over the cracks at Old Trafford, with pressure still firmly on manager Ruben Amorim.
The 40-year-old is nearing a year at the helm after taking the reins back in November 2024, but his spell in charge has certainly been one of disappointment to date.
He’s only registered a 40% win rate to date, losing 20 of his 48 outings, a tally which resulted in the Red Devils registering their worst ever Premier League finish in 2024/25.
However, his philosophy has also come into question as of late, with Amorim reluctant to move away from his current 3-4-2-1 system, which has yet to take off.
It’s not the only questionable thing conducted by the former Sporting CP boss in recent times, with his treatment of one first-team player also coming into question.
Kobbie Mainoo’s current situation at Man Utd
Midfielder Kobbie Mainoo looked as though he would be a key member of the United first-team squad a couple of years ago – but it’s safe to say Amorim has halted his progression.
In the 2023/24 campaign, the Englishman made 32 appearances across all competitions, subsequently finding the back of the net five times – including in the FA Cup final against Manchester City.
However, last season the 20-year-old was restricted to just 20 league starts, often having to resort to minutes off the substitutes bench to make an impact at Old Trafford.
This time around, the academy graduate has only racked up 76 minutes of English top-flight action, with the player himself also requesting a move away from his boyhood club.
The Englishman wanted regular game time away from the Red Devils to continue his development, but such a move was rejected, with Mainoo needing to once again establish himself as a first-team regular.
His lack of minutes is a surprise to many, given his previous success in the first-team squad, with one former player now ahead of him as a result of his decline in action.
The former United star who’s now outperforming Mainoo
The United academy has been a conveyor belt for talent over the years, subsequently aiding numerous managers in their quest for success at Old Trafford.
The Class of ’92 will undoubtedly remain as one of the most iconic, with the quintet of talents amassing over 3000 appearances between them during their respective careers.
Since the talents emerged in the early 90s, very few have gone on to achieve such heights, but some have still managed to make a successful career at the top level of the European game.
Mainoo is just one player who has shown glimpses of his quality, but Angel Gomes is another; however, he was one who managed to slip through the club’s net in recent years.
The Englishman joined the club at the age of six, spending a decade within the youth system, before making his Premier League debut at the tender age of just 16 back in 2017.
He would only make nine further senior appearances between his debut and the summer of 2020 – before departing on a free transfer at the end of his contract in pursuit of added minutes elsewhere.
The youngster would join Lille on a free transfer after his departure from Old Trafford, spending four years in France and racking up over 100 appearances – leading to his maiden England call-up last year.
Whilst he’s since moved to Marseille this summer, his figures from last season highlight his development in recent years – even outperforming Mainoo in the 2024/25 campaign.
Gomes & Mainoo – stats from 2024/25
Statistics (per 90)
Gomes
Mainoo
Games played
14
25
Goals & assists
2
0
Key passes
1.7
0.7
Passes into final third
3.9
2.7
Passes into 18-yard box
1.7
0.6
Take-on success
50%
46%
Carries into final third
2.1
0.9
Progressive carries
1.8
1.2
Aerials won
46%
38%
Stats via FBref
Gomes, who’s been labelled “sensational” by one analyst, completed more key passes per 90, whilst registering more passes into the final third – showcasing his incredible ability when in possession.
He also completed more of the take-ons he attempted, whilst making more carries into the final third per 90, subsequently allowing him to provide those ahead of him with endless chances.
However, despite the 25-year-old’s dominance with the ball, he also managed to thrive without it, winning more of the aerials he entered – potentially being the perfect box-to-box option at the heart of Amorim’s side.
Given his remarkable rise away from the Red Devils in the last couple of years, it’s no surprise that the club will regret their inability to tie him down to a new contract when they had the chance.
However, Gomes will now remain a case of what could’ve been, potentially being a crucial member of the side ahead of Mainoo had they kept hold of him five years ago.
