Mainoo's benching raises new frustration at MU

At the age of 20, Mainoo has embarked on a journey that many of his peers can only dream of.

The Carrington-bred talent who made a big impression last season is now sidelined, with new signings and even controversial faces being given priority. The question is: why is a player who started the Euro 2024 final not being trusted in the Premier League in 2025/26?

From Euro 2024 to Premier League bench

At 20, Mainoo has embarked on a journey that many of his peers can only dream of. He has been trusted by Gareth Southgate, starting alongside Declan Rice in the Euro 2024 final. His composure, ability to control the ball in tight spaces and maturity beyond his years make him a proud “Carrington clone”.

In the 2024/25 season, Mainoo played 37 games, totalling 2,079 minutes, playing a key role in the run to the Europa League final. He wasn’t the type of player who regularly appeared on the scoresheet – just two goals and three assists – but those “raw” numbers don’t quite reflect his impact.

According to Opta, Mainoo has an 88% passing accuracy, averaging 6.3 passes into the final third per game and 2.1 successful recoveries. At 19, it's a perfect blend of youth, control and tactical thinking.

In the 2024/25 season, Mainoo played 37 matches, totaling 2,079 minutes, making an important contribution to the journey to the Europa League final.

Yet after just two Premier League games this season, Mainoo has yet to play a single minute. Meanwhile, spectators have witnessed Ruben Amorim bring on Manuel Ugarte - a defensive midfielder - when the team needs a goal. That choice creates a paradox: the young talent who shone at the Euros and brought balance to the midfield is now a spectator on the bench.

Ferdinand and the “systemic disease”

Rio Ferdinand, a former United mainstay, was blunt in his assessment of Mainoo’s ability to thrive in a system that would allow him to thrive. He compared Mainoo to Phil Foden, another Stockport star, saying both players could only be at their “best” when placed in a tight system.

The comparison is not unreasonable. When Pep Guardiola designed the Man City machine around the principle of ball possession, Foden was like a fish in water. Meanwhile, Amorim’s Man United were still struggling with a half-hearted style of play: not enough pressing to overwhelm the opponent, nor enough control to control the game. As a result, players who needed a solid tactical foundation - like Mainoo - became the first “victims”.

Amorim, on the other hand, believes Mainoo is in direct competition with Bruno Fernandes. “He is fighting with Bruno for that position,” the Portuguese coach said. “I made two changes, but I kept Mount on the pitch because we wanted to score. When I made the changes, I felt we needed a holding midfielder.” In other words, Amorim is putting Mainoo in a difficult position: either beat the virtually untouchable captain Bruno or continue to sit out.

After two matches, Man United have only 1 point, ranking 16th in the rankings. The attack is deadlocked, the midfield is disjointed, and Amorim's substitution decisions have made the audience bored. In 180 minutes, Man United have only created 2 big chances, with a conversion rate of only 0.5 goals per match - the 15th lowest in the Premier League.

In that context, not using a talent like Mainoo becomes even more paradoxical. As Ferdinand said: “There are players who will shine anywhere, like Cole Palmer. But there are players who need a system to develop, and Mainoo is that. The problem is that Man United do not have a system.”

Yet after just two Premier League rounds this season, Mainoo still hasn't had a single minute.

Mainoo remained professional. After the draw with Fulham, he quietly walked out to applaud the fans, his face sad. It was the image of a young player who knows how to control his ego, but it also raised the question: how long before that patience turns to disappointment?

At a club whose faith in the “Carrington diamond” has produced Scholes, Beckham and Rashford, wasting a native talent would be an unforgivable mistake. Man United paid the price when they let Paul Pogba go in 2012, only to have to buy him back for a record fee. Will history repeat itself?

Mainoo doesn’t need to be an immediate saviour. But in a dismal squad, he deserves at least a chance to continue to grow. If Amorim insists on defending ineffective options and “imprisoning” a bright gem, he will have to face a harsh reality: Old Trafford will not only lose points in the rankings, but also lose a part of its future right before its eyes.

Source: https://znews.vn/mainoo-du-bi-day-len-buc-xuc-moi-o-mu-post1579949.html