Paul Scholes has unleashed a scathing attack on Ruben Amorim‘s handling of Kobbie Mainoo, branding the manager’s treatment of the young midfielder as “bulls***” amid his alarming lack of playing time at Manchester United this season. The 20-year-old academy graduate hasn’t been handed a single Premier League start for United in 2025/26.

His top-flight appearances have been limited to a mere 171 minutes, and he was consigned to watching from the bench during Thursday’s tedious 1-1 draw with West Ham at Old Trafford. Despite Mainoo’s continued absence from the starting XI, Amorim insisted last week that he views the England international as a first-choice player. The Portuguese boss’s only league start for Mainoo came in the Carabao Cup clash at Grimsby back in August – a match that ended in disappointment for the Red Devils.

“I see him as a starter like the other players,” Amorim declared last Friday. “I just have to make a choice and then in the end, it’s not been Kobbie.

“In the future, I don’t know. Again, I always think the same thing with Casemiro. [He] was not playing and then he plays. I just want to win games. I don’t care who is playing.”

Following Amorim’s decision to keep Mainoo on the sidelines against the Hammers, former United legend Scholes couldn’t contain his anger and took to Instagram to blast the head coach.

“Bulls***,” Scholes fired back at Amorim’s remarks. “The kid is being ruined, not being played in a team that can’t control a game of football. Hate seeing home grown players leave but it’s probably best for him now, enough is enough.”

Scholes has since removed the post regarding Mainoo, who was overlooked whilst Mason Mount, Manuel Ugarte, Patrick Dorgu, Leny Yoro and Lisandro Martinez were all introduced before United surrendered a late equaliser against the Hammers on Thursday.

The result leaves United languishing in eighth position after securing victory in just one of their previous five league fixtures. They had broken a three-match winless streak by defeating Crystal Palace on Sunday, yet Amorim’s men failed to build upon that encouraging triumph at Selhurst Park.

Diogo Dalot put United ahead against West Ham in the 58th minute, but the Red Devils couldn’t maintain their advantage as Soungoutou Magassa drew the Hammers level in the dying moments.

“Yeah, it’s frustrating, it’s angry,” Amorim said, in a brief evaluation of his emotions following the West Ham clash. “That’s it.”

Mainoo has been linked with a January departure from Old Trafford. Napoli continue to harbour interest in acquiring the gifted young midfielder and are contemplating launching a bid to secure his services next month.