'Fight for his job' - Ruben Amorim gives Kobbie Mainoo three examples to follow at Manchester United

Ruben Amorim has given Kobbie Mainoo three examples to follow as he looks to revive his Manchester United career and earn a regular spot in the starting line up.

The 20-year-old is unhappy with his limited playing time this season and has yet to start a Premier League match in the current season. Mainoo had a loan request rejected in the final days of the summer transfer window and would be open to another exit next month.

Mainoo knows he must play regularly at club level if he is to have any hope of a place in the England squad for the World Cup next summer. He has not been part of any international squad since Thomas Tuchel took charge as head coach and that will not change unless he has a key role for United.

Amorim tells Mainoo to follow three examples

Kobbie Mainoo could be handed his first Premier League start of the season when Manchester United face Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon. Mainoo is in direct competition with Bruno Fernandes for his preferred role at the heart of the United midfield, but could replace the suspended Casemiro in the deeper role at Villa Park.

Speaking ahead of the game, Ruben Amorim insisted he was not disappointed that Mainoo hadn't knocked on his door during the past week and reiterated that it was not a bad thing for him to be on the United bench at such a young age. "He’s a shy boy, but it's not his responsibility. He's responsible for his acts and his act was to play well in the last game, I'm just focused on that," Amorim told reporters.

"I had the situation in Sporting (Lisbon) that my brother wrote something in the internet, and I have to answer for that. My explanation is that he has his life, he has his opinion, and it's nothing to do with me. So I will do the same with Kobbie.

"Kobbie needs to fight for his job. I think that is not a bad thing to be on the bench of Manchester United when you are 20 years old. I remember (Cristiano) Ronaldo was on the bench, Rooney was on the bench sometimes. Veron was not playing. I remember all the history of Manchester United and nobody, this didn't fall. So let's continue in trying to avoid the nonsense and the noise. I just want to want to help the team to win. To help Kobbie to be a better player."

When further pressed on the examples he gave Mainoo to follow, Amorim added: "I’m not trying to say to Kobbie “You are a big player here, let’s put him on the bench to show something.”

"No, no. What I’m saying is the opposite. I'm just not putting Kobbie sometimes because I understand that this is not the the right guy to start the game. Maybe the next game, Sunday he is going to start. If he plays well, is going to show everyone. “This guy cannot take me for the team”, and I will be so happy, so I don't care. I don't want to show nothing to anyone. I'm just saying that I'm trying to win games and to show to the players that if you do the things right, you will play no matter what the name."

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