Michael Owen urges Man Utd star to move on from Ruben Amorim fallout - 'No excuses now'

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Kobbie Mainoo will likely be amongst those most relieved to see Ruben Amorim depart, but the midfielder now faces the reality of having nowhere to hide at Old Trafford. Michael Owen reckons the pressure is set to intensify for the Manchester United academy graduate.

Under Amorim this term, Mainoo didn't make a single Premier League starting appearance and was blocked from going out on loan during the summer months. The midfielder was reportedly keen on a temporary move away this month, as well, but now has a chance to revive his fortunes in Manchester .

The 20-year-old midfielder made his return from a calf problem as a substitute in United's stalemate with Burnley under Darren Fletcher . This term, Mainoo has accumulated just 318 minutes of action for the club.

Owen suggests the youngster needs to step up under Amorim's successor. The former United forward thinks this could prove a pivotal juncture in Mainoo's career.

"By the very fact that Amorim has gone, you'd think that he's going to get a lot more opportunity to play, but it's where the positive for him ends in many ways," Owen told Metro .

"Now it's down to Mainoo. It's all right blaming people, but of course, his time is now going to come, and so he's got to take it.

"He's got to take that opportunity because if the next manager doesn't play him - and the next manager doesn't bring him on much - then at some point, a little bit like Marcus Rashford , those doubts may well start to creep in.

"He'll be thinking; 'Am I playing well? Am I listening to all the information I'm getting? Am I disciplined? Am I all of these things?'.

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"Right now, he will be one of the happiest people about, but now it's all going to be squarely on his toes, and there's no hiding place or excuses.

"He's got to now prove Amorim was wrong by not playing him. He's probably going to get that opportunity, so we'll see."

Despite ongoing transfer window speculation, Mainoo is expected to stay put at Old Trafford. Given his relatively low wages as an academy graduate, a loan would offer little financial benefit, and would mean losing his services.

Mainoo's contract with United runs until 2027, with an option for an additional 12 months. It's understood that the England international declined a contract extension last year .

Last month, now-former head coach Amorim hinted that Mainoo remains a key part of United's future plans . "He is going to be the future of Manchester United , that is my feeling, he just needs to wait for his chance and everything can change in football in two days," the Portuguese said.

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