Kobbie Mainoo opens up on how close he came to leaving Man United under Ruben Amorim | OneFootball

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has opened up on the events that nearly led to his premature exit during the Ruben Amorim era.

After bursting onto the scene and scoring the winning goal in the FA Cup final against Manchester City, Mainoo struggled for opportunities under Amorim.

The 21-year-old admitted he even thought about leaving the club after falling out of favour during a difficult period at Old Trafford.

Amorim’s preferred 3-4-2-1 system left little room for Mainoo, who failed to start a single Premier League match under him.

It wasn’t long until reports of his frustration swarmed the rumour mill, particularly after the club turned down Mainoo’s request to leave on loan.

That would have been enough to force an exit, but Mainoo claimed that his heart was always with United despite the disappointment.

The England international has admitted that not playing regularly led him to consider other options.

Mainoo told Sky Sports: “When there are new managers, they have their way that they want to play, and if they think you don’t fit that, then you don’t fit that.

“All I can do is try and work and train to maybe see it in a different light.”

Despite the situation, Amorim maintained that he rated Mainoo highly, but believed he was more suited to the same advanced role occupied by captain Bruno Fernandes.

With Fernandes considered untouchable, Mainoo was left on the sidelines. He was one of the players that Mainoo leaned on during the difficult period.

“Going from playing nearly every game to not playing as often is always going to be a difficult adjustment,” Mainoo added.

“It was good for me in terms of learning [about] myself, the game, and patience. How to schedule my life, and how I train, and how I work, and getting into routines.”

Since returning to the starting line-up, Mainoo has earned a recall to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad and committed his future to United by signing a new contract.