‘You consider all things’ – Kobbie Mainoo reveals he thought about leaving Manchester United

Kobbie Mainoo has revealed he weighed up his future at Manchester United during a challenging period under former manager Ruben Amorim, admitting a lack of game time forced him into reflection despite his deep ties to the club.

The 21-year-old midfielder, widely regarded as one of United’s brightest academy graduates in recent years, struggled to establish himself during Amorim’s 14-month spell in charge.

Restricted to just 16 starts, Mainoo found himself on the fringes as the Portuguese coach persisted with a 3-4-2-1 system that left little room for his profile in midfield.

That tactical disconnect raised concerns internally and among supporters that United risked losing a player seen as central to the club’s long-term future.

Yet Mainoo has since reasserted his importance following a managerial transition, with Michael Carrick restoring him to a prominent role and the club moving swiftly to secure his services with a new contract.

Reflecting on that uncertain period in an interview with Sky Sports, Mainoo acknowledged the mental toll of being overlooked while maintaining that his commitment to United never wavered.

“When you’re not playing many games, or any games, you consider all things,” he said.

“But at the forefront of my mind was always to play for Manchester United and continue to play for this club that I’ve grown up at.”

Mainoo also addressed suggestions that his struggles stemmed from a stylistic mismatch with Amorim’s tactical approach, offering a measured assessment of the realities players face under new management.

“Yeah, when there’s new managers, they have their way that they want to play and if they think you don’t fit that, then you don’t fit that.

“All I can do is try and work and train to maybe see it in a different light.”

Now firmly reintegrated, Mainoo’s resurgence underscores both his resilience and the fine margins that can shape a young player’s trajectory at elite level.