Mainoo says difficult spell under Amorim taught him patience

Kobbie Mainoo says the difficult spell he endured under Ruben Amorim taught him patience, discipline and the importance of being ready for another opportunity. By the time he returned to the pitch, Amorim had left Manchester United and Michael Carrick was in charge.

After Amorim replaced Ten Hag, Mainoo was often left on the bench. In August 2025, believing regular playing time would be hard to come by, he requested a loan move. “I learned a lot off the pitch, like patience. It helped me get into a routine a lot,” he said. He also focused on what he could control: his routines, his work away from the pitch and his fitness.

Mainoo admitted that waiting while not playing was difficult. “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,” he said.

Carrick later gave him a starting role in the Manchester derby in January. Mainoo established himself alongside Casemiro, and their partnership helped United return to the Champions League. He spoke to Clarence Seedorf before United’s trip to Atletico Madrid. Mainoo missed Monday’s training and is expected to miss Tuesday’s Champions League match against Atletico Madrid as well. His next challenge is to regain fitness and maintain the consistency that made him important under Carrick.