Mainoo ‘being ruined’ at Man. United: Scholes

Manchester United great Paul Scholes says Kobbie Mainoo is “being ruined” by his lack of chances under Ruben Amorim, suggesting his best option is to leave Old Trafford.

The 20-year-old had a breakthrough season in 2023/24, which ended with the academy graduate scoring in the FA Cup final and breaking into the England squad.

But the midfielder has gone from starting the Euro 2024 final to struggling for game time at United.

He requested a loan move in August but was turned down.

Mainoo, still waiting for his first Premier League start of the season, was not brought off the bench in Thursday’s 1-1 draw with lowly West Ham.

That disappointing result left United  eighth in the Premier League ahead of Monday’s trip to bottom club Wolves.

United boss Amorim said last week that he considered Mainoo “a starter”, but Scholes reacted angrily in a now-deleted Instagram story that reposted the manager’s quote.

“The kid is being ruined, not being played in a team that can’t control a game of football,” said the former United and England midfielder, who won 11 Premier League titles at Old Trafford.

“Hate seeing home-grown players leave but it’s probably best for him now, enough is enough.”

Mainoo’s only start for United this season came in August’s humiliating League Cup exit at Grimsby and Amorim’s reluctance to use him has been a major talking point.

“I understand what you are saying,” he told reporters on Thursday following the draw against West Ham.

“You love Kobbie. He was… he starts for England, but that doesn’t mean I need to put Kobbie (in) when I feel I shouldn’t put Kobbie (in), so it’s my decision.”

Mainoo won the last of his 10 England caps in September 2024 and appears unlikely to make Thomas Tuchel’s squad for next year’s World Cup.

Amorim said he understood that the lack of time on the pitch could be demoralising for the midfielder but said his target was to win matches.

“I just try to put the best players on the pitch,” he said.

Pushed on whether the upcoming departures of Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo for the Africa Cup of Nations could present an opportunity for Mainoo, Amorim said: “I don’t know what is going to happen. It depends.

“If I see in the training it is the best thing, I will put it. That is the only way I know how to respond to that.”