Amorim changes his tune: Cast-off Mainoo is now 'future of Man United'

Instead of the Boxing Day clash (the only one in today's Premier League programme, despite the long-standing tradition) against Newcastle (23.00), the main topic at Old Trafford these days is - just as he's been for weeks - Kobbie Mainoo.

The youngster has yet to start a game this season, as Ruben Amorim has been overlooking him since the beginning of the campaign. The pressure of the club's legends, Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes, and Nicky Butt, didn't affect the gaffer, nor did the player's brother's controversial "Free Kobbie Mainoo" T-shirt.

Mainoo's brother slams United and Amorim with a powerful three-word message

Amorim stood firm in his stance that the 20-year-old wasn't good enough, pushing him towards the Old Trafford exit doors by saying that he would be pleased if Mainoo considered a loan move (in which Napoli are seriously interested).

However, according to his latest statements, the Portuguese may have changed his tune - interestingly, just days after the captain, Bruno Fernandes, picked up an injury that would keep him off the pitch for a few weeks.

The cast-off Mainoo instantly became "the future of Manchester United" and the player who can perform in a variety of roles.

"He is going to be the future of Manchester United. That is my feeling. So you [Mainoo] just need to wait for each chance and everything can change in football in two days. He will have the opportunity that he has all the time to force his way in."

"The position of Casemiro [No 6], he can do it. He can play if we play with three in midfield. He can play like we play in the position of Mason Mount [No 10]," Amorim said via The Guardian.

United await the duel against the Magpies without the mentioned Bruno, as well as the trio who represent their respective national teams at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations - Noussair Mazraoui, Bryan Mbeumo, and Amad Diallo.

Is there enough room for Mainoo to finally find his place in the XI? It's hard to say, though, at the moment, Manuel Ugarte seems to be more likely to start alongside Casemiro in the centre of the midfield than the Englishman.

Or perhaps the Red Devils' boss indeed wanted to send a message to both Mainoo and the public that the youngster would at last get a proper chance.

Either way, nothing's certain until tonight.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 18

Friday

23.00: (2.50) Manchester United. (3.65) Newcastle (2.65)

Saturday

15.30: (5.60) Nottingham Forest (3.90) Manchester City (1.62)

18.00: (1.42) Arsenal (4.50) Brighton (7.75)

18.00: (2.30) Brentford (3.45) Bournemouth (3.05)

18.00: (4.00) Burnley (3.35) Everton (2.00)

18.00: (1.23) Liverpool (6.50) Wolverhampton (12.0)

18.00: (2.70) West Ham (3.35) Fulham (2.65)

20.30: (1.90) Chelsea (3.50) Aston Villa (4.10)

Sunday

17.00: (2.60) Sunderland (3.15) Leeds (2.85)

19.30: (2.35) Crystal Palace (3.35) Tottenham (3.05)

***odds are subject to change***