'How can he not play?' - Kobbie Mainoo needs to be player Manchester United are 'building around', say Joe Cole and Owen Hargreaves

TNT Sports experts Owen Hargreaves and Joe Cole were left bemused by Kobbie Mainoo's lack of game-time under Ruben Amorim, and believe Manchester United should build around the midfielder.

Mainoo was frozen out under the former Red Devils boss, not starting a single Premier League match under the Portuguese this season. His longest league appearance was 45 minutes.

The England international's only full game came in the League Cup, in the humiliating defeat to League One outfit Grimsby Town.

Amorim defended his decision-making, insisting "Bruno Fernandes is the guy in his position" - though eventually claimed Mainoo is "the future of Manchester United" and had the chance to "force his way in".

Premier League

Carrick lauds 'fantastic' youngsters after Man Utd thrash Rosenborg

24/07/2026 at 22:00

No opportunities arrived, though, as reports of a January exit began to swirl. But the 21-year-old stuck around and outlasted Amorim at Old Trafford.

Since Carrick has taken over, Mainoo has been instrumental to the club's revival, as they chase down UEFA Champions League qualification for next term - another big step coming in the 1-0 victory over Chelsea on Saturday in front of the TNT Sports cameras.

It marked another completed for 90 minutes for Mainoo, who under Carrick has missed just one match (the loss to Leeds United last Monday) through injury.

Highlights: Man Utd open up TEN-point gap to Chelsea after Cunha winner

Video credit: TNT Sports

In the other fixtures, the academy graduate has been taken off the pitch for a total of just 14 minutes of action, with his strong form helping Man Utd to third place in the Premier League table.

Speaking after the win at Stamford Bridge, Cole - who played alongside Carrick for both West Ham United and England - pointed out that a key summer arrival will need to function well alongside Mainoo.

Cole said: "You've got one of the best midfielders we've ever produced in Michael Carrick in that holding position - and this man [Hargreaves] as well - so I'm pretty sure he will be able to find the replacement for Casemiro.

• Fernandes: Kane could have been PL legend but can now win Ballon d'Or
• Carrick explains what makes Mainoo special - 'There for all to see'

"It'll be someone who's ready-made, who's a winner, who's a good character, who can handle the pressure of playing for Manchester United - and can step in there with Kobbie Mainoo, and carry on developing Kobbie.

"One of the mad things for me, watching the resurgence of Mainoo is, why could Ruben Amorim not get a tune out of him? You start to question all sorts of things.

"Every time I watch this kid play, he's engaged in the game, he's knitting the ball together, he doesn't make too many mistakes. He's a very good footballer."

'They are the moments we live for' - Carrick praises 'big performances' against Chelsea

Video credit: SNTV

Hargreaves - who also teamed up with Carrick for both club and country - was equally baffled by Amorim's refusal to play Mainoo.

Hargreaves said: "If I was a sporting director interviewing you, and you said, 'I'm not going to play him, he's not going to be good enough for my team", I'd have said to you, 'no chance, I'm not giving you the job'.

"When you get a kid that good, that talented, a homegrown player - which is the heartbeat of Manchester United - how can he not play? It's so obvious that he's such a great player.

"The club need to take a bit of responsibility. They employ these coaches who come and rip up teams - why?

"If they're only going to be there for a year or two, the club should say, 'no, we're building around him - if you don't like it, go somewhere else'."

---

Stream the Premier League, men’s and women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more live on TNT Sports and HBO Max

Transfers

Camavinga in Man Utd sights as Real open to Tchouameni sale - Paper Round

24/07/2026 at 07:14

Transfers

Chelsea could thwart United with Kone bid, Szoboszlai future decided - Euro Transfer News

16/07/2026 at 17:14