The Fort Worth Press - Amorim unfazed by 'Free Mainoo' T-shirt ahead of Villa clash

England international Mainoo is still waiting for his first Premier League start of the season, with his lack of game time a major talking point.

The 20-year-old's half-brother Jordan Mainoo-Hames made headlines on Monday by wearing a "Free Kobbie Mainoo" shirt during United's 4-4 draw with Bournemouth.

Mainoo, who received a hero's welcome from fans when he came on as a substitute, had a request to leave Old Trafford on loan rejected in August and speculation continues over a potential January switch.

Amorim said at his press conference on Friday that the T-shirt would not affect his selection decisions, with Mainoo an option in midfield in the absence of the suspended Casemiro.

"It was not Kobbie who wore the T-shirt," said the United boss. "He is not going to start because of the T-shirt but he is not going to the bench because of the T-shirt.

"He's going to play if we feel that he is the right guy. That is not an issue. I'm used to (this), I've been here for a year, it's not new so we have to deal with that.

"But I am not going to do something to Kobbie because of someone in his family is doing something."

Amorim also addressed recent comments from former manager Alex Ferguson, who said it could take another decade for United to win the Premier League.

"He understands football more than me, especially English football," he said. "I think we will not take that long to win a league and I don't know which manager is going to be here.

"But I truly believe we are going to fight for the title in the next years. I think it's not going to take so many years but you never know."

United are sixth in the table ahead of Sunday's visit to third-placed Villa.

Defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire are still injured while Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo are all on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.

P.McDonald--TFWP