Owen Hargreaves blasts 'mindblowing' Ruben Amorim decision before Man Utd sacking

Owen Hargreaves described Ruben Amorim’s handling of Kobbie Mainoo as ‘mind-blowing’ (TNT Sports)

Owen Hargreaves has criticised Ruben Amorim over his ‘mind-blowing’ decision to leave Kobbie Mainoo on the bench for Manchester United .

Mainoo had struggled to secure a regular role under Amorim at United, with the Portuguese claiming that the 20-year-old is in direct competition with Bruno Fernandes for a place in the team .

Following Michael Carrick’s arrival, Mainoo has started all six of United’s matches and delivered impressive performances in the wins over Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham.

‘He’s done an incredible job, I’ve known Carras, I played with him in the England Under-21s in 2002, I probably would never thought he probably would be a manager, he was so understated, he was so quiet,’ Hargreaves told TNT Sports .

‘But you know what, Carras has like a natural elegance. He did as a player and the way he carries himself, I think he’s been class.

‘Under Carras, virtually every player’s playing a different position except the goalkeeper. Two centre-backs went from playing in a three to a two. The wing-backs now playing as full-backs. Went from a midfield two to now in playing a three. Went from having No.10s to wingers. Actually, he’s changed the whole team and it’s not rocket science. Everybody’s in their natural position and they’re performing. Put Bruno in as a No.10 and let him go create.

Kobbie Mainoo came close to leaving Manchester United under Ruben Amorim (Getty)

‘How Kobbie hasn’t played for football is a year is mind-blowing. One of the best young talents in the world of football and for a kid not to play for a year and to come in and play against City and Arsenal and basically run the games is a testament and obviously Carras knows that position.

‘I just think right now he’s [Carrick] been flawless. He hasn’t got one thing wrong and I’m delighted for him because the fans have really suffered and it feels like Old Trafford ’s back. The fans are happy but most importantly they’re winning. That’s all this is about is winning and when you win it fixes a lot of things.’

Former Chelsea and England winger Joe Cole added: ‘Kobbie Mainoo coming in, it’s doubly bad for Amorim because it makes him look so stubborn that this kid’s not played for a year. You know, ‘he can’t play in the system’. Good players can play in in in any system, they’ll find a way.

‘Kobbie Mainoo coming in has been outstanding. He’s run those two games [against Man City and Arsenal], and he must look at it and go, ‘I’m I’ve woken up in a dream, I’m back playing for Manchester United, I’ve got arguably one of the best players the club’s ever had in that position as my manager who knows that position inside out who can help me develop’.

‘All of a sudden he’s back at the races and you know could be a late call up is exactly what England need as well that type of player.’

Hargreaves also believes Carrick’s decision to bring Mainoo back into the team has eased concerns over United’s midfield options.

‘What’s remarkable is everybody said Man United’s biggest weakness was that central midfield they needed midfield players right they need to go spend £100 million on two players,’ Hargreaves said.

‘All of a sudden now we’ve gone back to Casemiro, how many Champions Leagues has he won, and he gone back to Kobbie, who’s one of the best young talents, and you got probably the best player in the Premier League player in his natural position. It’s not that bad, just because they’re playing their natural positions.’