Kobbie Mainoo’s brother appeared to send a pointed message to Ruben Amorim and Manchester United by wearing a t-shirt saying “FREE KOBBIE MAINOO” at Old Trafford. Amorim has not started Mainoo in any of United’s 16 Premier League games so far this season, with the midfielder’s only start coming in the Carabao Cup defeat at Grimsby.

Paul Scholes warned the United Academy graduate recently that he is “being ruined” by his lack of chances under Amorim and suggested he needs to leave the club for the good of his career. The 20-year-old had the world at his feet after a stunning breakthrough campaign in 2023/24, which ended with him scoring the winner in the FA Cup final and breaking into the England team.

A January departure from Old Trafford is already being talked about after Mainoo saw his request for a move away during the summer rejected. And now his brother, Jordan Mainoo-Hames, has taken to social media to post a picture of himself wearing a t-shirt saying “FREE KOBBIE MAINOO” at Old Trafford during United’s dramatic 4-4 with Bournemouth on Monday night.

Amorim was asked in the buildup to Monday night’s game if the 20-year-old had spoken to him regarding a temporary move, and he replied: “If Kobbie comes to me and talks to me, I will talk to him.

“I’m not going to say what I’m going to say to Kobbie but I will be really pleased if Kobbie comes to talk to me about that. I just want my players happy and I understand that every individual has their goals.

“The frustration [of any player] doesn’t help anybody. But again, the focus is [Bournemouth] and we will see if that happens.

“I had some conversations with him, especially last year, and with other players but about that subject, no I didn’t speak with him. I am completely open [to talk].”

Before the United boss added: “I know that for you guys there are some players that you believe in a lot and I believe a lot but sometimes I have to make choices.

“We play with two midfielders. We could change in the future but Kobbie Mainoo is playing in the same position as Bruno Fernandes and sometimes it’s really hard to take Bruno Fernandes out of the team and that is the only reason.”

Mainoo replaced Casemiro just after the hour mark during United’s 4-4 draw with Andoni Iraola’s side. The Reds took the lead through Amad before Antoine Semenyo restored parity for his side.

But United headed into the break ahead thanks to Casemiro, but two quick goals from Evanilson and Marcus Tavernier at the start of the second-half turned the game on its head. But Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick and Matheus Cunha’s effort within two minutes of each other swung the game back in United’s favour before Eli Junior Kroupi rescued the visitors a point.