Revenge of the Mainoos: Man United star Kobbie’s sister revels in Ruben Amorim’s sacking with Instagram post, after his brother called for him to be ‘freed’ when manager axed him

Kobbie Mainoo’s sister has taken to social media to deliver a not-so-subtle dig at departing Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim.

Ama Mainoo posted an Instagram story featuring an image of a woman wearing a broad grin, seemingly reflecting the mood among the United players’ family following the announcement of Amorim’s sacking on Monday morning.

The woman in the picture is American rapper Yung Miami, with the post appearing to be a light-hearted but pointed reaction to the news.

One of the biggest frustrations among United fans during Amorim’s tenure was the lack of game time afforded to one of the club’s brightest academy graduates.

Mainoo, 20, burst onto the scene under Erik ten Hag in 2022 and quickly established himself as one of United’s most exciting young prospects during the 2023–24 season.

By the end of that campaign, the Stockport-born teenager had scored the decisive goal in the FA Cup final against Manchester City and, weeks later, cemented his status on the international stage by becoming a key figure in Gareth Southgate’s England side, starting the Euro 2024 final.

Amorim’s appointment in October 2024 saw Mainoo slide down the pecking order

Mainoo burst onto the scene under Erik ten Hag in 2022 and scored the decisive goal in United’s FA Cup final victory against Manchester City in 2024 at the age of just 19

However, Amorim’s appointment in October 2024 saw Mainoo slide down the pecking order. The Portuguese coach frequently deployed captain Bruno Fernandes in a deeper role, effectively shutting Mainoo out of his preferred position.

After failing to start a single Premier League game this season, and with the 2025 World Cup on the horizon, Mainoo’s international prospects have stalled.

A lack of minutes has seen him overlooked by Thomas Tuchel, prompting Mainoo to push for a loan move away from Old Trafford, with Napoli at the front of the queue to sign him this January.

Tuchel is clearly a fan of the youngster, saying in August: ‘Sometimes you can feel the pressure and changes in the club are not in your favour and he’s lacking the minutes.

‘I don’t think he lacks anything else. He has the experience, the power, the quality, the talent to be on our list.’

Ama Mainoo, meanwhile, appears to be a passionate supporter of her brother’s career, having posted pictures on her social media channels in the past of herself with his No 37 shirt.

Tensions have spilled into public view in recent weeks, with Mainoo’s brother Jordan Mainoo-Hames pictured at Old Trafford wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with ‘Free Kobbie Mainoo’ in December.

Amorim responded by criticising United’s young players for having a sense of ‘entitlement’, although stopped short of blaming Mainoo for his brother’s actions.

Kobbie Mainoo’s half-brother, Jordan, wore a shirt reading ‘Free Kobbie Mainoo’ last month

Ama Mainoo, meanwhile, appears to be a passionate supporter of her brother’s career, having posted pictures on her social media channels in the past of herself with his No 37 shirt

‘I think it is the feeling of entitlement that we have in our club,’ said Amorim. ‘Sometimes strong words is not bad words. Sometimes difficult moments is not a bad thing for the kids. We don’t need to be always with accolades in everything, in every situation. We are not helping.

‘Nowadays they speak and go against the club because they feel entitlement, and then we have legends of the club say, “if you don’t play, leave, because everyone is wrong”.’

He added: ‘It was not Kobbie who wore the T-shirt. He is not going to start because of the T-shirt, or go to the bench because of it. He is going to play if he is the right player to play.’

Amorim also told Mainoo that he wouldn’t be allowed to leave in loan this January transfer window, saying that he was the ‘future of Manchester United’.

As it turned out, Mainoo missed the chance to replace the injured Bruno Fernandes for United’s most recent fixtures, pulling up with a calf issue ahead of last month’s defeat to Aston Villa. He has been unable to make the squad since. 

With United’s Under 18s head coach Darren Fletcher set to take over from Amorim and is expected to play a 4-3-3 system, it could mean more game time and a change in fortunes for the young midfielder.