Ruben Amorim fires Kobbie Mainoo warning ahead of Man Utd return

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has refused to guarantee minutes to Kobbie Mainoo as he prepares to make his return from injury, warning the midfielder of areas in which he must improve.

Mainoo has missed over two months with a muscle injury but returned to training last week and is in line to make United's squad for Thursday's Europa League quarter-final clash with Lyon, which is slowly becoming a grudge match following a personal war of words between Andre Onana and Nemanja Matic.

Ahead of his imminent return, Amorim warned supporters not to expect too much from Mainoo, who he challenged to raise his game if he wants to reclaim his starting spot from Casemiro.

"We need to help him," Amorim said of Mainoo. "Casemiro is playing better because we understand better the way Casemiro can play.

"I think we can do that with Kobbie because he has a lot of qualities. He is really good on the ball but also near the opponent's box. We will try to manage all that and find the right space for a player like Kobbie.

"I think that is also a little bit the problem. When I see Kobbie Mainoo, I see a lot of talent but in the way I see it – I could be wrong, that is for sure – I see some things that Kobbie Mainoo has to improve.

"The pace during the game, he has qualities we can use, in build-up he needs to improve. Near the box he has a lot of talent. That's why he did a very good game in the Europa League in that position. When I see Kobbie Mainoo, I see not as a full player in the moment because he's 19. If I say to Kobbie, 'no, you are done, you are the final player', I am not helping Kobbie."

Amorim's struggles to find the best role for Mainoo will do nothing to quell speculation of a possible summer departure for the midfielder who, amid stalling contract talks, is thought to be available for a fee of around £70m. Chelsea are known admirers of the England international.

In the short term, Amorim also pledged to be careful with Mainoo's return so as to ensure he does not return to the sidelines.

"In this moment we have to be careful with Kobbie," United's head coach added. "He had some games out so we have to be careful with his fitness. We are really happy to have more options and an option like Kobbie Mainoo with the quality that he has.

"We are really pleased to have Kobbie Mainoo but we have to be careful, we need Kobbie Mainoo fit and fresh."

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