Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has delivered his verdict on Kobbie Mainoo’s latest snub with Ruben Amorim leaving him as an unused substitute on Thursday
Paul Scholes has labelled Ruben Amorim’s treatment of Kobbie Mainoo as “bulls***” in a furious assessment of his lack of game time at Manchester United this season.
Mainoo, 20, hasn’t started a single Premier League match for United in 2025/26. He has played just 171 minutes in the top flight and was left as an unused substitute during Thursday’s drab 1-1 draw against West Ham at Old Trafford.
Last week, Amorim said he considers Mainoo “a starter” despite not playing him from the first whistle once in the league this season. The England international did start in the Carabao Cup at Grimsby in August – a tie which ended in defeat.
“I see him as a starter like the other players,” Amorim said last Friday. “I just have to make a choice and then in the end, it’s not been Kobbie.
“In the future, I don’t know. Again, I always think the same thing with Casemiro. [He] was not playing and then he plays. I just want to win games. I don’t care who is playing.”
Now, after Amorim didn’t even bring Mainoo on against West Ham, ex-United midfielder Scholes took to Instagram to vent his frustration at the Reds head coach.
“Bulls***,” Scholes posted in response to Amorim’s comments. “The kid is being ruined, not being played in a team that can’t control a game of football. Hate seeing home grown players leave but it’s probably best for him now, enough is enough.”
Scholes has since deleted the post about Mainoo, who was snubbed while Mason Mount, Manuel Ugarte, Patrick Dorgu, Leny Yoro and Lisandro Martinez were brought on before United conceded a late goal against the Hammers on Thursday.
It’s a result that leaves United down in eighth after winning just one of their last five league matches. They ended a three-game winless run by beating Crystal Palace on Sunday, but Amorim’s side were unable to follow up an impressive success at Selhurst Park.
Diogo Dalot gave United the lead against West Ham in the 58th minute, but the Reds weren’t able to hold on with Soungoutou Magassa levelling for the Hammers late on.
“Yeah, it’s frustrating, it’s angry,” Amorim said, in a short assessment of his mood post-West Ham. “That’s it.”
As for Mainoo, he has been linked with a January move away from Old Trafford. Napoli remain interested in signing the talented young midfielder and are considering making a move to sign him next month.
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
