Former Barcelona and England striker, Gary Lineker, has criticised Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, describing the Portuguese tactician as “very stubborn” in his approach.
Lineker expressed particular concern about Amorim’s handling of teenage midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who has yet to start a Premier League game this season despite his breakout campaign under former manager Erik ten Hag in 2023/24.
Speaking after United’s 3-0 derby defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, Lineker said Amorim’s rigid system and reluctance to trust Mainoo were troubling.
“I don’t think he [Amorim] is going to change his system now. He has been very stubborn so far — why change now?” Lineker said on The Rest is Football podcast.
“It really worries me the way Kobbie Mainoo has been kind of dismissed. Such an incredible young talent, a local boy as well, doing really well. I thought when he came on [against City] he did quite well. I don’t get it — unless there’s something we don’t know, it’s slightly baffling.”
Amorim introduced Mainoo off the bench in Sunday’s derby, but United were already undone by a brace from Phil Foden and a goal from Erling Haaland as Pep Guardiola’s side cruised to victory.
The defeat piles further pressure on Amorim, who continues to face scrutiny for his tactical decisions early in his reign at Old Trafford.
