Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has insisted he still sees midfielder Kobbie Mainoo as a vital member of his squad.
Mainoo, 20, has started just one game for United so far this season, with the other eight of his appearances all coming off of the bench.
Kobbie was introduced during our most recent outing against Everton on Monday, with the England international unable to help the Reds find a vital breakthrough.
With Sunday's clash at Crystal Palace presenting another chance to be involved, Ruben was quizzed on the Stockport-born midfielder in his press conference on Friday, providing detail on his situation...
“Yeah, but this is a team sport,”
responded the boss when asked if there is something extra Kobbie has to do to be involved.
“You talk a lot of about Kobbie, I have more players in my squad that want to be in the World Cup, so it's a little bit unfair. I put Kobbie [in on Monday] because he's really good near the box, to have a guy like Bruno and him, they can find spaces near the box and score goals.
“So that was my idea. So, I will use Kobbie and the rest of them to try for the team to win. So, I'm not just focused on one individual.
”I want to help all my players and I know how special it is for a player to play World Cup. My job is to win as a team and to focus as a team. So, Kobbie Mainoo is in the same situation as the other guys. If I feel that is the best thing to win the game, I will do it. So that's it.“
With Casemiro and captain Bruno Fernandes proving hard to budge, the boss was pressed further on the United Academy graduate.
“No, I see him as a starter like the other guys. I just have to make a choice and then in the end, it’s not been Kobbie.
But in the future, I don't know. Again, I always think the same thing with Casemiro. Casemiro was not playing and then he plays. I just want to win games. I don't care who is playing. I just want to win games.“
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