Kobbie Mainoo is ‘the future of Manchester United’ – manager Ruben Amorim cools January transfer talk despite lack of Premier League game-time

Amorim has since hailed the player’s versatility, and his ability to provide effective cover for the responsibilities of Mason Mount and Casemiro.

“Kobbie Mainoo (has) played in different positions,” he said. “He can do (Casemiro’s) position.

“He can play if we play with three, he can play like we play in the last game (at Aston Villa). The position of Mason Mount in that game, he can play there.

“He is going is going to be the future of Manchester United. That is my feeling. He just needs to wait for his chance. In football, everything can change in two days.”

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Attention then turned to United’s January’s transfer activity, and Amorim insists there are unlikely to be any outgoings unless reinforcements are made first.

Bruno Fernandes is ruled out for a month through a hamstring injury, and Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui are all at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Amorim insists that even when all those players return, it is difficult to see any other players leaving the club.

“It’s going to be hard for someone to leave the club if we don’t get a substitution,” he explained.

“We are short. Even with the full squad, we are short for something that can happen.

“We are a club with a big responsibility. We are dealing with all these issues and in (the media’s) heads, in my head, in everybody’s head, we need to win every game. It doesn’t matter. There are no excuses.”

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Amorim’s selection woes have not been aided by a mounting injury list that includes Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire.

With that in mind, academy starlets Jack Fletcher and Shea Lacey could both have a chance to impress in the coming weeks.

“We are struggling in this moment, but the club has a plan, and we are going to stick with the plan,” he said.

“If we have the opportunity to bring a player (in) that we think is going to be the future of the club, (he) is going to come.

“If not, we have Jack (Fletcher), we have Shea (Lacey) – in three weeks we’ll have Amad, Noussair and Bryan, and the return of Bruno and Kobbie Mainoo.”

After The Red Devils’ Boxing Day clash with Newcastle United, they host Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford.

Amorim’s side then begin 2026 with a clash against Leeds United at Elland Road on January 4, before a trip to Turf Moor to take on Burnley three days later.