Owen Hargreaves has launched a scathing critique of Ruben Amorim's "mind-blowing" decision to bench Kobbie Mainoo during his tenure at Manchester United. The former midfielder expressed disbelief that Mainoo, a 20-year-old talent, was sidelined for a year under Amorim, who claimed the player was in direct competition with Bruno Fernandes for a midfield spot.
Carrick's Transformative Impact at Old Trafford
Since Michael Carrick took over as manager, Mainoo has started all six of United's matches, delivering standout performances in victories over Manchester City, Arsenal, and Tottenham. Hargreaves, speaking to TNT Sports, praised Carrick's managerial prowess, noting his "natural elegance" and ability to reposition players effectively.
"Under Carras, virtually every player's playing a different position except the goalkeeper," Hargreaves said. "Two centre-backs went from playing in a three to a two. The wing-backs now playing as full-backs. Went from a midfield two to now playing a three. Went from having No.10s to wingers. Actually, he's changed the whole team, and it's not rocket science. Everybody's in their natural position, and they're performing."
Mainoo's Remarkable Resurgence
Hargreaves emphasized the absurdity of Mainoo's absence, calling him "one of the best young talents in the world of football." He highlighted how Mainoo's return has been instrumental in United's recent successes, with the youngster "basically running the games" against top-tier opponents.
Former Chelsea and England winger Joe Cole echoed these sentiments, criticizing Amorim's stubbornness. "It's doubly bad for Amorim because it makes him look so stubborn that this kid's not played for a year," Cole stated. "Good players can play in any system; they'll find a way."
Midfield Concerns Alleviated Under Carrick
Hargreaves also pointed out that Carrick's strategic moves have eased worries about United's midfield depth. Previously, many argued the club needed to spend heavily on new signings, but Carrick's utilization of existing talent like Casemiro and Mainoo has proven effective.
"All of a sudden now we've gone back to Casemiro, how many Champions Leagues has he won, and he's gone back to Kobbie, who's one of the best young talents, and you've got probably the best player in the Premier League in his natural position," Hargreaves explained. "It's not that bad, just because they're playing their natural positions."
Cole added that Mainoo's revival could benefit the England national team, suggesting a potential late call-up for the young midfielder. Overall, Carrick's flawless start has rejuvenated Old Trafford, with fans celebrating both the return of winning ways and the resurgence of key players like Mainoo.
