Declan Rice's Kobbie Mainoo comments spoke volumes after England row – 'He bit at me'

Kobbie Mainoo has descended from FA Cup final hero and England star to a bit-part Manchester United player in little more than a year. Mainoo’s rise looked unstoppable in the middle of 2024.

The then-teenage midfielder broke into the side under Erik ten Hag during the 2023/24 season and was instrumental as United surprisingly defeated Manchester City in the FA Cup final, with Mainoo scoring what proved to be the winner. Gareth Southgate had seen enough to draft him into his squad for Euro 2024, with Mainoo starting every knockout game in England’s run to the final.

It wasn’t just Mainoo’s performances that impressed but his attitude and willingness to speak his mind to more experienced players. That trait was highlighted by Declan Rice ahead of the final against Spain.

READ MORE: Gary Neville spots Ruben Amorim frustration as Man Utd boss sends subtle transfer demand

READ MORE: Ruben Amorim raises doubts over Kobbie Mainoo's future as he makes 'fighting' claim

'Biting' at Rice

The Arsenal midfielder said: “You speak to him and just feel his calm presence that he has and what I like about him is that he is not scared to say it how it is.

“There was something towards the end [of the semi-final win against the Netherlands] when he gave me a pass between the lines and I got sold short for it.

“We had to sprint back and we had bit at each other, but that is good because you need that relationship. At 19, I can’t imagine many saying that to older players and that's what I love about him.

“That is what the lads love about him as well. He gets that respect, he has that leadership and the way he takes the ball and is comfortable.”

'This boy has got everything'

Club team-mate Harry Maguire was similarly impressed by Mainoo at the time. As the 2023/24 season drew to a close, the defender was lavish in his praise of the youngster.

Maguire said: “I’ve been a massive fan of Kobbie's since he first started training with us. I remember talking to [goalkeeper] Tom Heaton about him and I was saying, ‘I feel like this boy has got everything.’

“He can handle the ball brilliantly. He’s really strong, powerful, and you can see his progression to play that No.6 role, especially for United. The ‘six’ role is a huge responsibility and I'm sure the positional part of his game will improve drastically.”

Amorim's 'fourth choice'

Last season should have seen Mainoo kick on, only for his career to stall due to a combination of injury and a change of manager. When fit, he struggled to break into the side, despite United’s struggles amid their worst domestic campaign in half a century.

Little seems to have changed this season, with Mainoo an unused substitute in both of United’s league games so far. And with United looking to strengthen their midfield ahead of the transfer deadline, the 20-year-old could soon face more competition.

Gary Neville reckons Amorim is just “not having Mainoo” at present. Speaking after the 1-1 draw at Fulham, the former United defender said on his Sky Sports podcast: “I would have liked to have thought that Mainoo could step up and be that person, but it is quite clear that at this moment in time, Ruben Amorim isn’t having him.

“He starts with Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, he then puts Mason Mount back in there and he then brings [Manuel] Ugarte on in front of him. That tells you he is almost fourth choice really. That means they are going to have to get something sorted because it is going to be a problem.”

Fernandes competition

Amorim, who deployed Mainoo in numerous roles last season, addressed his rationale for not bringing him on against Fulham, saying he was in direct competition with club captain Bruno Fernandes.

The head coach said: “He’s fighting for the position now with Bruno. And I change two midfielders. I let Mason Mount [play] there because we want to score a goal and when I changed I felt the team need to return to one holding midfielder near Bruno.

“So he [Mainoo] just needs to fight for the position with Bruno, as [it] should be at Manchester United. [Sometimes] he’s going to play with Bruno, but at the moment he’s fighting in training with Bruno for the position.”

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