Ruben Amorim has defended his decision to marginalise Kobbie Mainoo by saying he does not pick the Manchester United team on the basis of big names and cannot choose players just because they are England internationals.
Mainoo is one of only four senior players in Amorim’s squad who are yet to start a Premier League match this season, along with third-choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton, Tyrell Malacia — who was not even training with the first team in the summer —and Lisandro Martinez, who is just back from a long-term injury.
