Kobbie Mainoo’s injury could hardly have come at a worse moment, Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has conceded, after the young midfielder was ruled out of Sunday’s 2-1 Premier League defeat to Aston Villa amid growing scrutiny over his role at Old Trafford.
The England international, who is of Ghanaian heritage, was a notable absentee from the matchday squad, a decision that intensified speculation surrounding his future at the club.
Mainoo has yet to start a league match this season, and his limited involvement has coincided with increasing rumours of a possible January exit as Amorim reshapes his squad.
Questions over the 20-year-old’s standing were further amplified earlier in the week when his brother, Jordan Mainoo-Hames, appeared at Old Trafford wearing a T-shirt reading “Free Kobbie Mainoo” during United’s draw with Bournemouth.
However, Amorim moved to dampen suggestions of a falling-out, insisting the midfielder’s absence against Villa was purely medical.
Speaking before the match, the United boss confirmed that Mainoo suffered a calf problem in training on Saturday and was sent for medical checks immediately afterwards.
“He got an injury in the last training. After training, he went to the doctor. He got something in his calf and we are going to assess but he is out of this game.
“Of course [it is bad timing], not just for the team but for him to have this problem. These are reminders that we need to focus on everything we can control and leave the rest to the destiny.
“He is going to be fine in the few weeks, I think, I don’t know. Let’s focus on the players that we have and are ready to play.”
The injury also deprived Mainoo of a potential opening in midfield, with Casemiro unavailable through injury.
The absence of the Brazilian had raised the prospect of increased responsibility for the academy graduate, who enjoyed a breakout campaign last season and established himself as a regular option.
Amorim has previously addressed Mainoo’s lack of starts, framing it as part of the development process rather than a loss of faith.
He pointed to past Manchester United greats, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, who experienced spells on the bench early in their careers.
