'Suck that up' - Roy Keane hands Kobbie Mainoo brutal Manchester United reality check

Roy Keane does not believe Kobbie Mainoo can have too many complaints about his lack of playing time for Manchester United under Ruben Amorim. The 20-year-old has not started a Premier League match this season and was only introduced from the bench in the 85th minute as United defeated Liverpool at the weekend.

Mainoo requested to leave the club on loan in the final days of the summer transfer window but saw the request rejected due to their lack of cover in central midfield. Amorim has continuously reiterated that the academy graduate does have a long-term future at the club but must accept he competes with captain Bruno Fernandes for the same starting position.

It would only take an injury or a suspension for Mainoo to be given a regular role in the United side, though club legend Keane does not believe he has done enough to justify a starting role when he has been given a chance this season.

Roy Keane hands Kobbie Mainoo brutal reality check

Roy Keane is the standard when it comes to Manchester United midfielders and he is not sure Kobbie Mainoo has done enough to justify a starting role under Ruben Amorim.

Speaking ahead of the weekend win over Liverpool, Keane told Sky Sports: “It obviously seems to be a problem for Mainoo getting into this team. The word coming out is they don’t think he can cover the ground that quickly, but if you look at Man United’s other midfielders they’ve got, they’re not great at that either. As a young player, he has to suck that up and work hard, and when he gets a chance, he has to take it.

“A young player with good potential cannot be guaranteed a place in United’s team. But it will come down to the player himself. Your job every day, every week is to make sure the manager puts you in the team.

"If the manager deep down doesn't fancy him? I don't know. We will find that out in the next few weeks. Because if he doesn't fancy him, he might have to move him on. But Mainoo's got that opportunity. He got some plaudits when he first came in; he was involved in the England squad. He has to get back to that.

"He's had opportunities recently, and when he's come on and got opportunities, he just looks a bit short for me. I wouldn't be scratching my head thinking, 'Why is he not in the team?' I can see why he is not picking him at this moment in time."

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