Ruben Amorim has dismissed the significance of a “Free Kobbie Mainoo” T-shirt worn by the player’s brother, insisting that family protests will have no impact on his selection process for Manchester United.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has made it clear that a viral T-shirt protest by Kobbie Mainoo’s brother will not influence his team selection.
Jordan Mainoo-Hames, a former reality TV contestant, sparked controversy by wearing a “Free Kobbie Mainoo” shirt during Monday’s 4-4 draw against Bournemouth.
The stunt was widely viewed as a protest against the 20-year-old midfielder’s lack of starts this season. Amorim stated, “It was not Kobbie that wore the t-shirt.”
The Portuguese head coach emphasized that professional decisions are based solely on tactical requirements rather than external family antics.
Addressing the media before United’s trip to Aston Villa, Amorim laughed off the incident, insisting that the midfielder’s status remains unchanged by the side-show.
He noted, “He is not going to start because of the t-shirt, but he is not going to the bench because of the t-shirt. He is going to play if we feel that he is the right guy to play.”
Despite the growing noise surrounding Mainoo’s future, Amorim reiterated his commitment to the collective over individual demands.
While he expressed a willingness to speak with any player about their concerns, he cautioned against a “feeling of entitlement” within the club’s younger ranks.
Defending his stance, the manager concluded, “I am not going to do something to Kobbie because someone in his family is doing something. He is going to play if we feel he is the right guy.”