Kobbie Mainoo has more potential to grow, says Amorim as manager says that he ‘can be so much better’ than he is.
Kobbie Mainoo ‘can be so much better’, says Amorim amid uncertain future.
Amid talks on the teenager’s future at Manchester United, Amorim has cautioned Kobbie Mainoo to ignore the hysteria that he is the “finished article” and to concentrate on becoming better.
The 19-year-old midfielder, whose deal with United expires in 2027 with an additional year’s option, has been a mainstay since joining the first team from the club’s academy and is requesting a rise from his £20,000 weekly pay. Mainoo’s collaboration with Manuel Ugarte has raised hopes, and the two may start together once more on Sunday when United visits Arsenal, the site of Amorim’s first loss during his rule, in the FA Cup third round.
“I think Kobbie Mainoo is improving a lot during the last matches, I think you guys [the media] feel like Kobbie Mainoo is the finished product – he is not, he has so much potential to grow up even more,” Amorim said. “He is really, really good but he can be so much better. I think he is improving, all the players are improving, all the players are important for me, no matter what.”
Although United is not actively seeking to sell Mainoo, they would consider a sizable offer that would enable them to meet sustainability and profitability regulations.
United defeated Manchester City in the FA Cup final the previous season, and they now hold the trophy. Erik ten Hag was able to retain his position for the time being, but his continued bad league performance into this season ultimately led to his downfall. Amorim’s first taste of the competition will be against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday, and it will be a very unpleasant start.
By studying films on United, such as one about how Sir Alex Ferguson’s career was saved by winning a third-round match against Nottingham Forest, the Portuguese head coach has been learning about the club’s past.
Asked how the FA Cup can provide a springboard for his tenure, Amorim replied: “Because of the feeling of winning, that feeling gives you so much confidence. If you win one thing you believe that you can win more, then that feeling is addictive. You feel it and then it’s really easy to follow that to try to win it again.”Amorim is keen to advance in the FA Cup and will not drastically change his team, but he will give custodian Altay Bayindir a rare start. United has won the FA Cup 13 times, including twice since Ferguson left in 2013. Since Sunday’s stalemate at Liverpool, United has had a free midweek, and Amorim is keen to discover his best starting lineup and gain momentum following a challenging run of five Premier League losses in a row.
“The best team depends on them [the players],” Amorim said. “But you can see that the rotation is different now. For example, Manu [Ugarte] is playing more than Casemiro. You can see that some of the guys are winning more the position but for me, the position is always open. It depends on the way they play and the way they train. So I think we are closer [to finding the best XI].