Owen Hargreaves slams Ruben Amorim over Kobbie Mainoo decision after Man Utd defeat

Kobbie Mainoo started on the bench for Manchester United’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City (PA Wire)

Owen Hargreaves has criticised Ruben Amorim for refusing to start Kobbie Mainoo in Manchester United ’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday.

United struggled to trouble City at the Etihad Stadium as Pep Guardiola’s side sealed the win with Phil Foden’s first-half header, plus a double from Erling Haaland after the break .

Amorim has come under fire once again over his decision to play Bruno Fernandes in a midfield pairing alongside Manuel Ugarte , while Mainoo started the game on the bench.

The 20-year-old, who is yet to start a Premier League match this season, was brought on in the 62nd minute and delivered an impressive cameo in central midfield.

Hargreaves hailed Mainoo as United’s best player ‘by a country mile’ against City and believes Amorim must now find a way to fit the England international in his midfield.

‘Where do you want to start? There are a lot of issues,’ Hargreaves told Premier League Productions.

‘How Kobbie Mainoo doesn’t play in this team I’ll never know.

Owen Hargreaves says Kobbie Mainoo was Manchester United’s best player against Man City ‘by a country mile’ (EPA)

‘He came on for that game and in half hour he was probably their best player, by a country mile. So first of all he’s got to play.

‘Sesko is not ready. He scored a lot of goals in Germany but he didn’t look ready today. You look at Haaland, the way he ran about and pressed, he just wasn’t active enough, I know he didn’t get much service but he’s got to be more active.

‘Mbeumo is top, Cunha is top. Bruno can’t play there as a central defensive midfielder any more, he’s got to play as a No.10.

‘The way it’s set up now it’s not working, so tweak it. You could make five changes, play Mbeumo up front, Cunha and Bruno as No.10s, Kobbie has got to get into the team, fact. You give yourself half a chance, I don’t see it.

‘They had more possession than City today but they didn’t look the better team. Did they look like scoring much? No.’

@metrosportuk The Red Devils really don’t look in good shape 😬 Manchester City destroyed Manchester United in the first Manchester derby of the Premier League season, and it’s caused lots more questions for United manager Ruben Amorim. But City are starting to look more like title contenders after a tough couple of results. @diffknock @alexmoneypenny #manchesterunited #mancity #premierleague #amorim #metroatthematch ♬ original sound – Metro Sport – Metro Sport

Speaking after United’s defeat, Amorim remained adamant that he would not change his midfield system in order to accommodate Mainoo.

‘I know it’s really hard for people, and the fans don’t want to hear me saying these things. I know they are not going to listen and they will be upset, with that I cannot to anything,’ Amorim said.

‘I’m trying to be rational and I do not lie to myself, so I see the record, I understand the frustration of everybody, and I understand the decision that came with that.

‘But that conversation about the two midfielders, the pair, Kobbie Mainoo, I understand all these narratives but then when I look at certain games, we play with two, it’s the same thing.

‘Today, when you imagine the game, why not use Amad, Bryan, Sesko, and Bruno behind with the ball? To be the first guy receiving the ball and then with a lot of pace in front.

‘I’m trying to do different things, trying to imagine the game and then when you don’t win, it doesn’t work, you take the critics, that’s it.’