Mainoo credits Amorim spell for teaching him patience as United reach Champions League

Kobbie Mainoo has revealed that his frustrating spell on the fringes under Ruben Amorim ultimately taught him patience and discipline, qualities he believes have driven his return to form at Manchester United this season.

Mainoo was a key figure under Erik ten Hag, scoring in United’s 2024 FA Cup final victory over Manchester City, but his role diminished sharply when Amorim took charge. The academy graduate made 40 appearances under the Portuguese coach, the majority as a substitute, and did not complete a single 90 minutes in the Premier League during the first half of last season.

In August 2025, Mainoo requested a loan move away from Old Trafford, sensing regular starts would be hard to come by. United rejected the request, insisting he remained part of their plans. A calf injury then sidelined him around Christmas, and by the time he had recovered, Amorim had been dismissed.

Interim head coach Michael Carrick handed Mainoo a starting berth for the Manchester derby in January, and the midfielder has not looked back since. Carrick was subsequently appointed on a permanent basis, and Mainoo’s performances alongside Casemiro have been central to United securing a place in this season’s Champions League.

Speaking ahead of United’s Champions League trip to Atlético Madrid, Mainoo reflected on the Amorim era in conversation with legendary midfielder Clarence Seedorf. “I learned a lot off the pitch, like patience,” Mainoo said. “It helped me get into a routine a lot, you know. I can only control what I can control, which is my routines, what I am doing away from the pitch so I can stay sharp and try and stay fit. I think that helped me a lot as well with discipline.”

Mainoo also acknowledged how mentally taxing the period was. “When you are not playing, the season feels long and even if you don’t see an end to it, you have to keep training and working like the next game is the one. So that’s the main thing, staying ready.”

Whether Mainoo will feature against Atlético remains uncertain. The midfielder was absent from training at Carrington on Monday alongside Luke Shaw, joining existing injury concerns Patrick Dorgu, Noussair Mazraoui, and Benjamin Sesko. Carrick is expected to provide an injury update when he faces the media in Madrid ahead of the match.