Coach Ruben Amorim openly discussed Kobbie Mainoo's development process and admitted that the young Manchester United midfielder is encountering "some difficulties" adapting to the new tactical system.

Manchester United has several options in midfield, including veteran star Casemiro. This situation forces Mainoo to work harder to prove himself and secure a starting position.

Mainoo has only had 15 starts since Ruben Amorim was appointed head coach last November. The English midfielder suffered a long-term injury last year, and although Amorim was optimistic about his progress during the summer tour, the 3-4-2-1 system deployed by the Portuguese coach does not fully suit Mainoo's skill set.

In the Premier League opener against Arsenal, Mainoo was unexpectedly left out. This detail raised questions among many Red Devils fans about his role under Amorim’s leadership. Explaining this decision, the 39-year-old coach said the young English player is facing certain challenges in executing the style of play he is implementing.

Amorim spoke before the Fulham match: “We have a few issues. The team currently plays with two central midfielders, so the operation is different from before. The players, especially young ones like Mainoo, need to understand that the season has many phases. With a congested schedule, things will change. He is still here, training hard, fighting every day, and remains one of the options we consider to achieve victory.”

Currently, Mainoo is under contract with Manchester United until June 2027. This means the club retains full control over securing the young talent’s future. Coach Ruben Amorim also confirmed that sporting director Jason Wilcox is primarily responsible for negotiating a new contract, hoping to finalize an agreement soon to keep the 2005-born player tied to the club.

Extending Mainoo’s contract is considered one of Manchester United’s top priorities, as the club does not want to lose a promising domestic talent to rival teams.

In the second round of the 2025/26 Premier League, Manchester United will visit Fulham’s Craven Cottage at 10:30 PM on August 24 (Vietnam time).