Steve Nicol believes that Kobbie Mainoo’s frailties off the ball are why the Manchester United midfielder has barely featured under Ruben Amorim this season.

Mainoo has not started any of United’s first seven Premier League games in a clear sign that he has fallen down the pecking order under Amorim.

The 20-year-old enjoyed a breakout season under Erik ten Hag, culminating in him starting for England in the Euro 2024 final, but Amorim has preferred to partner Bruno Fernandes with one of Casemiro or Manuel Ugarte in his two-man midfield.

In search of regular minutes, Mainoo sought to engineer a loan move away from Old Trafford in the summer window to boost his chances of making England’s World Cup squad.

The Red Devils refused to sanction a move, though, meaning Mainoo is now seemingly consigned to cameo appearances off the bench unless he can somehow force his way into Amorim’s plans.

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