1
Former England striker Gary Lineker joked that Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo should sue Ruben Amorim for almost ruining his career.
Revived
Mainoo emerged as the main beneficiary of Amorim’s dismissal in December last year after 14 months in charge.
During his tenure, Amorim found it difficult to find a role for Mainoo in implementing his controversial 3-4-3 system.
Mainoo often found itself on the margins, a situation that worsened at the start of the current campaign. During the closing stages of the summer transfer window, Mainoo asked the club to let him go on loan. His request was denied.
His minutes-long struggle continued and it is believed the player was strongly considering his January options. Mainoo failed to start a Premier League match under Amorim. His only start of the season came in the humiliating Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Grimsby Town.
Carrick’s arrival has been a turning point for Mainoo, who has featured in all four matches and played a key role in United’s perfect record.
He was sensational against Tottenham Hotspur this weekend, highlighted by his clever assist to Bryan Mbeumo for the opener.
Ian Wright insisted Mainoo has ’embarrassed’ Amorim and now Lineker has echoed the sentiment, joking that the Carrington academy graduate should consider taking legal action against the Portuguese coach.
Lineker was shocked by the interaction with Mainoo
Lineker said The Rest Is Football podcast”You know what? If I were Kobbie Mainoo – and I say this in jest – I would think about whether I should sue him [Amorim] or not.”
“He took a year out of that kid’s career. This kid is a great football player. God, he makes it look so easy. He wants the ball, he receives it with everyone around him and he turns around, always makes the right decisions, he’s graceful.”
“I mean, come on! It’s definitely been detrimental to his career.”
Lineker also backed Mainoo to be included in the England squad for the 2026 World Cup.
“If he doesn’t make the World Cup squad… and I think he probably will if he can stay fit and if he keeps playing because he’s just a seriously good footballer.”
“I know his brother got in a little bit of trouble for saying ‘Free Kobbie’ on the T-shirt, but he definitely has a point, his brother. What was he? [Amorim] think?!”
“I say this [that Mainoo should sue Amorim] jokingly of course, but I mean, come on! It’s so baffling that he couldn’t see how good that young man is.
“I thought to myself, ‘Has something happened? Has he gone beyond his means?’, but he comes back and you think, ‘No’, and he’s exactly what he was before, which, when you think about it, was perhaps England’s best player at the European Championship.”
Mainoo and United are back in action on Tuesday when they travel to West Ham.
Featured image Gareth Copley via Getty Images
The Peoples Person has been one of Man United’s most important news sites for over ten years. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
#Gary #Lineker #Man #Uniteds #Kobbie #Mainoo #sue #Ruben #Amorim #Man #United #News #Transfer #News #Peoples #Person