Ruben Amorim's comments about Kobbie Mainoo speak volumes – he was right all along

Ruben Amorim's comments about Kobbie Mainoo speak volumes – he was right all alongKobbie Mainoo has signed a new five-year contract at Manchester United, vindicating Ruben Amorim's prediction that the midfielder would be the future of the clubCommentsSportopinionAmie Wilson Sports writer 06:45, 01 May 2026View 2 ImagesKobbie Mainoo struggled for regular Man Utd starts under former head coach Ruben Amorim. (Image: PETER POWELL, AFP via Getty Images) Former Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has been proven correct in his assessment of Kobbie Mainoo, despite consistently leaving the midfielder out of his starting line-up. Mainoo was handed just one start under Amorim this season — the Carabao Cup defeat against Grimsby. ‌ He was instead forced to make do with substitute appearances in the Premier League, and on occasion found himself not even making it off the bench. It fuelled growing uncertainty over the midfielder's long-term future at the club. ‌ Last summer, United turned down a request from Mainoo to depart on loan in pursuit of regular first-team football. He was also the subject of transfer speculation in the January window, with Italian side Napoli reportedly keen. ‌ READ MORE: Man Utd confirm Kobbie Mainoo’s new contract after Old Trafford U-turnREAD MORE: Man Utd news: Three players considered for swap deal as club forfeits financial boostYet just six months on, the picture has changed dramatically for Mainoo, who has now committed his future to United by signing a new five-year deal. Shortly before his departure from Old Trafford in January, Amorim delivered a telling verdict on Mainoo. "If you play with a three, he can play like we did in the last game with the position of Mason Mount, he can play there," he said. ‌ "He is going to be the future of Manchester United, that is my feeling, he just needs to wait for his chance and everything can change in football in two days." FOLLOW OUR MAN UTD FB PAGE! Latest United news and more on our dedicated Facebook page Little did the head coach realise that his departure from the club would transform Mainoo's fortunes in just a matter of days. The 21-year-old was reinstated to the starting line-up for Michael Carrick's first match in charge, a 2-0 victory over Man City, shortly afterwards. ‌ Mainoo has since started every game he has been available for, missing only the defeat against Leeds through injury. His new contract speaks volumes about what United think of his performances since Carrick took charge. The midfielder is proving himself to be the future of the club, vindicating Amorim's earlier comments. View 2 ImagesKobbie Mainoo has been a mainstay in the Man Utd starting line-up under Michael Carrick. (Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images) ‌ The turnaround has arrived sooner than many might have anticipated, particularly given his limited playing time at the start of the campaign. Nevertheless, Amorim's assertion that things change rapidly in football has been shown by Mainoo's remarkable reversal of fortunes. While he may not have envisaged the situation unfolding as it did in terms of his own exit, the former head coach was astute in his assessment of the young United star as the future of the club. Article continues belowSky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV packageThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more£44SkyGet the deal hereProduct DescriptionSky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL. Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.