Man Utd midfielder Kobbie Mainoo strongly disagrees with Erik ten Hag in public jab

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has delivered a belated parting shot at Erik ten Hag over the club’s 2023/24 campaign. The 19-year-old proved one of the few success stories of the Dutchman’s reign, making 32 club appearances last season and forcing his way into the England squad.

He then proceeded to play a key role as the Three Lions made it to the final of Euro 2024, where they were beaten 2-1 by Spain.

But the midfielder could at least reflect on one piece of silverware, scoring in the FA Cup final as the Red Devils shocked Manchester City 2-1.

The victory appeared to salvage Ten Hag’s job, despite the club only managing an eighth-placed finish in the Premier League. They also finished rock-bottom of their group in the Champions League, and would have missed out on Europe altogether this time around had it not been for their Wembley win.

However, Ten Hag consistently argued the season had been a success due to their trophy success. And having also captured the League Cup in his maiden season in charge, the ex-Ajax coach enjoyed reminding critics that only City had won more silverware during his two years in England.

Despite his protestations, INEOS sacked him last month amid the side’s continued indifferent form, and have since appointed Ruben Amorim from Sporting CP in his place. And now Mainoo has reacted by appearing to defy the arguments of his former boss.

“We couldn’t go into the summer with nothing, just finishing where we finished in the table,” he told GQ, when asked about the FA Cup win. “A trophy brings hope. But it definitely didn’t make the season a success.”

The academy graduate added that United “needed” the win over Pep Guardiola’s side. And he said their status as rank outsiders made them determined to prove their worth at Wembley.

“I remember just the feeling around it was like, no one expects us to win,” he recalled. “They’ve just written us off. I used that as motivation. I won’t say it made the season a success for us as a team, but we definitely needed it.”

Mainoo has yet to hit the heights of his debut season this time around, having been disrupted by injury. He’s been out of action since the clash at Aston Villa on October 6, where he was forced off in the closing stages with a muscle problem.

The Englishman is in contention to be fit for Amorim’s first game in charge though, the Premier League match with Ipswich Town on November 24. The teenager and his team-mates have been pictured meeting the Portuguese boss for the first time this week.