“It’s like a striker” - Manchester United hero Ryan Giggs disagrees with Paul Scholes as he makes stance clear on Kobbie Mainoo

Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs has urged youngster Kobbie Mainoo to ignore the advice of Paul Scholes and remain at Old Trafford to fight for his place at the club. The 20-year-old has struggled for game time under manager Ruben Amorim and is considering leaving in search of regular football.

Amid Mainoo's situation, Scholes criticized Amorim's handling of the United academy graduate and urged him to seek a move away from the club. Chelsea and Napoli have reportedly shown interest in Mainoo.

However, Giggs disagrees with Scholes' stance and has advised Mainoo to stay put and wait for his chance. Speaking on BetSelect (via Metro), he pointed out that young players rarely get the nod in key positions at Manchester United, and Mainoo should keep learning while waiting for his opportunity.

"I can see where the lads [Scholes and Butt] are coming from. As a footballer, you want to play. But I would have more patience because he is only 20, and it is difficult to play centre midfield for Man United. It’s like a striker. You don’t see many really young strikers playing for Man United because it is difficult, " Giggs said.

"We all feel that he should be getting more minutes, but he needs to be patient. He’s still young, he’s still learning the game. And when he does get his chance, he needs to take it. So I’d like to see him stay," he added.

Maino is yet to start a league game this season and has managed only 302 minutes in 12 matches across competitions. The Englishman pushed for a loan move in the summer, but Manchester United did not sanction a transfer.

What has Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim said about Kobbie Mainoo's lack of game time?

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has repeatedly defended his decision to omit Kobbie Mainoo from the starting XI. The England youngster has fallen down the pecking order, with the manager playing captain Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro ahead of him.

While speaking ahead of the Red Devils' clash with AFC Bournemouth on Monday (December 15), the Manchester United manager hinted that Mainoo has not impressed him enough, saying:

"It’s like any other player. The door is open for any player to change my mind. But in the end, it’s going to be the training, the games. Of course, he’s not playing so many games, but Kobbs, he had opportunities, especially last year. Everyone had."

In another interview, Amorim claimed that the 20-year-old was not starting because of how the team is set up, and he is behind Fernandes and Casemiro.

"Of course, like everyone else. The problem is we are playing with two and you guys see Kobbie in a different way than I’m seeing. Maybe if you play with three midfielders, not with just two, Kobbie will have more minutes. Imagine that this happens. Someone in front is going to lose their spot. Sometimes it’s just the moment

"I think I proved that if you change my mind [you can get into the team]. Casemiro is the biggest example. He was behind Toby [Collyer] and now he is a starter. I know that for you guys, there are some players that you believe a lot and I believe a lot. But sometimes they have to make choices."

"We play with two midfielders in these games. We could change in the future. But Kobbie is playing in the same position as Bruno Fernandes. Sometimes it’s really hard to take Bruno Fernandes out of the team and that is the only reason," he concluded.

Mainoo broke into the first team at Manchester United in 2022 under former manager Erik ten Hag. So far, he has amassed 84 appearances for the Red Devils, contributing seven goals and three assists.