Gary Lineker ‘really worried’ by Ruben Amorim’s treatment of Man Utd star | Football

Gary Lineker says he is ‘really worried’ by Ruben Amorim’s treatment of Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo.

Two seasons ago Mainoo was regarded as a key member of United’s first team and one of the most promising young players in world football.

Mainoo enjoyed a breakout season at Erik ten Hag in 2023-24 which culminated in a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the Euros.

A 19-year-old Mainoo even started the Euro 2024 final against Spain but his career has stagnated since then and he currently finds himself out of the United team.

Mainoo is yet to start a Premier League game this season and a lack of minutes led him to ask to leave Manchester United on loan towards the end of the summer transfer window.

United blocked Mainoo’s exit, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe believed to be particularly keen for him to stay put, but the youngster is still on the margins of Amorim’s squad.

Sunday’s Manchester derby looked like a chance for Mainoo to sure up United’s midfield in the absence of the injured Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount, but he was once again only used as a second-half substitute in the humbling 3-0 defeat.

Ex-England striker Lineker admits he is ‘slightly baffled’ and ‘really worried’ by Amorim’s stance on Mainoo.

Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Lineker said: ‘I don’t think he’s going to change his system now. He’s been very stubborn so far, why change now?

‘It really worries me the way Kobbie Mainoo has been kind of dismissed. Such an incredible, young talent, a local boy as well doing really well.

‘I thought when he came on he did really quite well. I don’t get it, I don’t know if there’s something we don’t know about but it’s slightly baffling to me.’

While Mainoo was used from the bench, £74m summer signing Benjamin Sesko, who joined from RB Leipzig, was handed his first Premier League start.

United signed Sesko to help solve the team’s issues in front of goal and replace new Napoli signing Rasmus Hojlund but the Slovenia international is yet to score in five appearances.

Discussing Sesko’s performance against Man City, Lineker added: ‘He was absolutely starved of any real service.

‘He does look quick for a big guy and I watched him specifically for a lot of the game and his movement was decent.

‘I felt for him a little bit because it’s tough when you’re not getting any service.’

Premier League record goalscorer Alan Shearer added: ‘I saw him last year a few times, I did think it was a lot of money United spent to sign him.

‘It’s a massive ask for him to go into a club and a team under huge pressure. I think it’s a huge ask for him to go into and be successful this season, I really do.’

Manchester United’s task will not get much easier next weekend when they return to Premier League action against Club World Cup champions Chelsea.

Man City, meanwhile, begin their Champions League campaign on Thursday against Napoli before facing Arsenal at the weekend.

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