Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has sparked controversy after appearing to endorse social media criticism of the club's recently sacked manager, Ruben Amorim.
Social Media Activity Sparks Speculation
Eagle-eyed fans spotted that Mainoo had 'liked' a post from a popular Instagram joke page which shared memes questioning Amorim's ethics following his dismissal. The post came just hours after United officially announced the Portuguese coach's departure on Monday, January 6, 2026.
The Instagram post in question featured videos mocking the circumstances of Amorim's exit. One clip, from the film The Wolf of Wall Street, showed Jordan Belfort celebrating with the caption suggesting Amorim and his staff would enjoy a lavish night out after receiving their compensation packages.
A Tumultuous End to Amorim's Reign
Amorim's sacking came less than 24 hours after United's 1-1 draw away to bitter rivals Leeds United. The 40-year-old had delivered a stunning 122-word rant at the end of his post-match press conference, seemingly aimed at the club's board. He insisted he had taken the job to be a 'manager' and 'not just a coach', hinting at frustrations behind the scenes.
He had also suggested he might 'move on' when his contract expired in 18 months, but the decision was ultimately made for him. Under-18 head coach Darren Fletcher, a former United player, has taken interim charge ahead of Wednesday's match against Burnley.
Mainoo's Fractured Relationship and Future Prospects
Amorim's exit could signal a dramatic change in fortune for academy graduate Mainoo. The 20-year-old, once hailed as a future star, had fallen completely out of favour, failing to make a single Premier League start this season.
Rumours of a potential departure had grown, culminating in Mainoo's half-brother, Jordan Mainoo-Hames, wearing a 'FREE KOBBIE MAINOO' T-shirt during United's 4-4 draw with Bournemouth last month.
Amorim had consistently defended his handling of Mainoo, attributing his lack of game time to competition with captain Bruno Fernandes. Before United's Boxing Day win over Newcastle, he urged the youngster to be patient, stating: "He is going to be the future of Manchester United, that is my feeling."
However, a calf injury sidelined Mainoo for the final four matches of Amorim's tenure. Caretaker boss Fletcher is expected to provide an update on the midfielder's condition and status later today.
Mainoo is not the first player to seemingly react to Amorim's sacking; former United winger Alejandro Garnacho, now at Chelsea, was also seen liking a post announcing the news.
