- Mainoo scored and assisted a goal in Man United's win over Steaua Bucharest
- Amorim had handed Mainoo a more advanced role in the Europa League match
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Ruben Amorim believes Kobbie Mainoo is playing with a smile on his face again after a period of uncertainty over the teenager’s Manchester United career.
Mainoo has become a potential target for rival clubs amid a contract stand-off with the club after Amorim admitted that United could be forced to sell the homegrown star because he would generate maximum profit under FFP rules.
The England international has also struggled for form as a defensive midfielder in Amorim’s 3-4-3 system, and was on the bench for the games against Fulham and Rangers having been substituted early in the previous two matches against Brighton and Southampton.
He was reinstated for Thursday’s Europa League win over Steaua Bucharest in Romania and flourished in a more advanced role, scoring one goal and laying on another for Diogo Dalot.
Afterwards, Amorim said he believes Mainoo’s positional problems are to blame for his dip in form rather than any issues over his future.
‘I don't think it is the contract,’ said United’s head coach. ‘Everybody in England sees him as a very good player. He played in the European Championship final. I think it is more the position, then he is not comfortable.
Kobbie Mainoo thrived in a more advanced position in Man United's victory over FCSB
Man United boss Ruben Amorim puts Mainoo's dip in form down to a positional issue
Amorim stressed he wants to keep homegrown talents Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho
‘Before he was always playing and now sometimes he plays and sometimes he doesn't. He doesn't play and he is not comfortable. Maybe there is something to do with that.
‘But I think the key point is the position. It is different for him. It demands a lot from him. Today, in that position, I feel he is more happy to play, simple as that. I don't look at just the movements, the way he touches the ball. I feel it just watching him. He was so happy on the pitch. That is important for me because if they are happy, they play better. I think he can change position.’
Amorim insisted that he wants to keep the Stockport-born player and Alejandro Garnacho, another homegrown talent targeted by other clubs.
‘I want players like Kobbie and Garnacho,’ he added. ‘The focus is that we have to improve our academy. And you have to bring more. That is something that all the clubs in England have to take advantage of. The players that come from the academy: to play, to fill the shirt and also to sell. So our focus is to bring more. The rest, I just want to prepare with both of them for the next game.’
