Manchester United’s struggles under Ruben Amorim have sparked plenty of noise, and now former midfielder Nicky Butt has added his voice.
The 3-0 loss to Manchester City in the derby has only turned up the heat on the Portuguese boss, whose rigid system is facing questions from all angles.
Butt believes one of United’s brightest young talents, Kobbie Mainoo, has been left on the sidelines without the respect he deserves.
Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, he said: “I don’t think he’s been respected the way he should’ve been Kobbie. He’s a young boy, I get that, he’s gone off the boil a little bit, I get that, but he’s flew onto the scene, he’s playing for England – he’s a top, top player.”
Mainoo has made only two Premier League appearances this season, both from the bench. For Butt, that is nowhere near enough.
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The selection storm brewing at Old Trafford
Amorim’s use of Bruno Fernandes in a deeper midfield role has already drawn criticism from Paul Scholes and Nigel Reo-Coker.
Scholes questioned why United’s most creative player is being used out of position, while Reo-Coker noted: “It is not necessarily Fernandes’ fault and more Ruben Amorim for insisting that he must play in this deeper role where there are clearly flaws and weaknesses.”
Nicky Butt went further, warning that Amorim’s tactics are not suited to the players at his disposal.
“Forget the system for a minute, the players are not at the level they need to be, not quick enough, not aggressive enough. The two lads in midfield, Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte, they’ve not got the legs to do it in a three, let alone a two.”
The concern is clear: United’s midfield looks short of balance, while one of their most promising youngsters is left to wait on the bench.
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Mainoo vs City – cameo stats
| Stat | Number |
|---|---|
| Tackles won | 2 |
| Ground duels won | 3 |
| Passes completed | 18/18 |
Wayne Rooney has already said the fans “are not fools” and demanded honesty about performances.
With Chelsea up next at Old Trafford, the pressure is only rising. United need a result, and Mainoo may just be the player who can help change the story.
