Amorim Defends Mainoo Amid T-shirt Noise

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has addressed the attention surrounding a T-shirt display involving Kobbie Mainoo’s brother, insisting the matter should not be placed on the young midfielder and stressing that his focus remains strictly on performance and team results.

Amorim made the comments during his pre-match interview ahead of United’s Premier League fixture against Aston Villa.

Speaking on the issue, Amorim emphasized that Mainoo should not be held accountable for the actions or opinions of family members, drawing on his own past experience to underline the point.

“He’s a shy boy but it’s not his responsibility. He’s responsible for his acts and his act was to play well in the last game, so I’m just focused on that. I had a situation in Sporting when my brother wrote something on the internet and I had to answer for that and my explanation is that he has his life, he has his opinion, it’s nothing to do with me so I will do the same with Kobbie,” Amorim said.

The United coach also addressed discussion around Mainoo’s playing time, stating that competition for places is a normal part of development at a club of Manchester United’s size.

“Kobbie needs to fight for his job, I think that is not a bad thing to be on the bench of Manchester United at 20 years old. I remember Ronaldo was on the bench, Rooney was on the bench sometimes, Veron was not playing, I remember the history of Manchester United and nobody didn’t fall. So, let’s continue trying to avoid the nonsense and the noise,” he said, adding, “Believe it or not, I just want to help the team to win and help Kobbie to be a better player.”

Amorim further clarified that selection decisions are not influenced by external narratives or attempts to make a statement, but by what he believes is best for the team in each match.

“No guys, I’m not trying to say: ‘Kobbie, you are a big player here, let’s put you on the bench to show something.’ No, what I’m saying is the opposite. I’m just not putting Kobbie [on the pitch] sometimes because I understand that this is not the right guy to start the game,” he explained.

He added that opportunities remain open based on performance and readiness, stressing merit-based selection.

“Maybe the next game [on Sunday], he’s going to start. If he plays well, he’s going to show everyone this guy cannot take me out the team, and I will be so happy. So, I don’t care. I don’t want to show nothing to anyone. I’m just saying that I’m trying to win games and to show to the players that if you do things right, you will play no matter the name.”

Amorim’s remarks were aimed at keeping focus on football matters ahead of the Aston Villa match, while reinforcing his stance on accountability, competition, and player development within the squad.