Ian Wright believes Ruben Amorim should be ‘very embarrassed’ over his handling of Kobbie Mainoo after the midfielder put in yet another impressive performance in Man United‘s victory over Tottenham.
United academy graduate Mainoo had started just one game this season under Amorim – away to Grimsby Town in a humiliating Carabao Cup defeat – before the Portuguese boss was sacked.
The 20-year-old was so disillusioned about his future at Old Trafford that he had planned to join Serie A giants Napoli on loan for the rest of the season.
But after Michael Carrick arrived as United’s interim boss and thrust him back into the starting XI, Mainoo has returned to the form that earned him an England call-up for the European Championships aged just 18.
And Wright, appearing as a pundit on Saturday’s Premier League World show following the Red Devils’ 2-0 victory over Spurs, pulled no punches in his assessment of the sacked United boss.
‘Everybody was confused with what was happening under Ruben Amorim,’ the Arsenal legend explained.
Ian Wright said Ruben Amorim should be ’embarrassed’ over his handling of Kobbie Mainoo
Amorim started Mainoo in just one game this season before being sacked as Man United boss
Mainoo assisted United’s opener against Spurs and has found form under Michael Carrick
‘When you look at (Mainoo), someone who’s not played, coming into a Man United side that’s not in great form. To play in that midfield which is where all the questions have been around… just the quality.
‘You’re listening to Bruno (Fernandes) saying they’ve been given the freedom to express themselves because they’re good players. And Kobbie is a very, very good player. I’m just pleased we’re seeing that now.
‘I think it’s very embarrassing for Ruben Amorim if we’re going to be totally honest. Because what we seen was a Man United youth product not given the opportunity to play and very, very close to leaving the club.’
‘He was brilliant today. Magnificent today,’ Wright added.
Mainoo was widely praised for his performance against Spurs on Saturday, not only for his smart assist to set up Bryan Mbeumo’s opening goal, but for controlling the centre of the pitch alongside Casemiro.
Carrick heaped praise on his midfielder after the game, but was also keen not to put too much expectation on him.
‘There’s no doubt about Kobbie’s ability or what he can bring,’ the United interim boss said.
‘He’s still so young, so let’s be careful of putting so much on his shoulders, and expecting so much from him.
Carrick has restored Mainoo to the United starting XI and has heaped praise on the midfielder
‘I think he’s still learning the game but because he’s had a big high and then didn’t play for a bit, it’s easy to think he’s a lot older and more experienced probably than he is.
‘Credit to him, he came right in and found his rhythm of football, which is not easy after a period of time off.’
Mainoo found himself at odds with Amorim during the ex-United manager’s final months in charge, during which the midfielder’s brother wore a shirt in the stands of Old Trafford which read: ‘Free Kobbie Mainoo.’
Amorim, though, continued to defend dropping the England international, particularly so during one of his more spiky press conferences towards the end of his tenure.
When asked in December, before United faced Wolves, if there was a risk Mainoo could become demoralised due to being continually benched, Amorim hinted that playing him wouldn’t give him the best chance of victory.
‘I just want to win, he said. ‘I try to put the players, I don’t look who it is, I don’t care about that, I’m just trying to put the best players on the pitch.’
He added: ‘I understand what you are saying. You love Kobbie, he starts for England. But that doesn’t mean that I need to put Kobbie (in) when I feel that I shouldn’t put Kobbie (in), so it’s my decision.’
Mainoo has played the full 90 minutes in each of United games since Carrick took charge, winning all four against Man City, Arsenal, Fulham and Spurs. He has also collected two assists in that time.
