Ian Wright has delivered a scathing assessment of Ruben Amorim’s treatment of Kobbie Mainoo, suggesting the former Manchester United manager should feel deeply uncomfortable about how he handled the highly rated midfielder. Wright’s comments came after Mainoo produced another standout display in United’s 2–0 Premier League victory over Tottenham, continuing his impressive resurgence under interim boss Michael Carrick.

Mainoo, a product of United’s academy, had found opportunities extremely limited earlier in the season. Under Amorim, the 20-year-old started just one match—a disastrous Carabao Cup defeat away to Grimsby Town—before the Portuguese coach was ultimately dismissed. The lack of trust and consistent playing time reportedly left Mainoo frustrated and uncertain about his future at Old Trafford.

So severe was the situation that Mainoo had even been considering a loan move to Italian heavyweights Napoli for the remainder of the campaign. His confidence and momentum had stalled, a sharp contrast to the form that previously earned him an England call-up for the European Championships at just 18 years old.

Everything changed when Michael Carrick stepped in as United’s interim manager. Carrick immediately restored Mainoo to the starting lineup, and the midfielder has responded emphatically. His performances have mirrored the maturity, composure, and technical quality that once marked him out as one of England’s brightest young prospects.

Speaking as a pundit on the Premier League World show following United’s win over Spurs, Wright did not hold back. The Arsenal legend said there was widespread confusion surrounding Amorim’s decisions, particularly given the state of United’s midfield at the time. Wright pointed out that Mainoo had been thrust back into a struggling side and instantly raised its level with his intelligence and calm authority on the ball.

Wright highlighted comments from United captain Bruno Fernandes, who recently noted that players have been given the freedom to express themselves under Carrick. According to Wright, Mainoo has flourished because he is a genuinely high-quality footballer who thrives when trusted. He went as far as to say that Amorim’s handling of the situation was “very embarrassing,” especially considering how close United came to losing one of their own academy graduates due to a lack of opportunity.

Against Tottenham, Mainoo was widely praised for both his attacking and defensive contributions. He provided a clever assist for Bryan Mbeumo’s opening goal and played a crucial role in controlling the midfield alongside Casemiro. Wright summed up the performance by calling it “magnificent,” underlining how decisive the young midfielder had been.

Carrick, while full of praise, struck a more measured tone after the match. He emphasized that Mainoo’s talent has never been in doubt but warned against placing excessive expectations on such a young player. Carrick noted that Mainoo is still learning the game and that a period of inactivity can distort perceptions of a player’s experience level. Nevertheless, he credited Mainoo for seamlessly rediscovering his rhythm after time out of the side.

The tension between Mainoo and Amorim had been visible during the former manager’s final months in charge. At one point, Mainoo’s brother even wore a “Free Kobbie Mainoo” shirt in the stands at Old Trafford, highlighting growing frustration among those close to the player. Amorim, however, repeatedly defended his decisions, insisting he selected players solely based on what he believed gave the team the best chance to win.

Since Carrick’s appointment, Mainoo has completed the full 90 minutes in all four of United’s victories against Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham, and Tottenham, contributing two assists in the process. With Casemiro set to depart at the end of the season, United are now reportedly prepared to reopen contract talks with Mainoo. Although he has 18 months left on his current deal, plus an option for an additional year, his wages lag behind those of several first-team teammates—a situation the club may soon look to address.