Amorim remains unaffected by 'Free Mainoo' shirt stunt before facing Villa

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim stated that a bold T-shirt display from Kobbie Mainoo's half-brother would have no bearing on his team choices as he gears up for the trip to in-form Aston Villa.

The England midfielder Mainoo continues to await his initial Premier League starting appearance this season, with limited minutes sparking widespread discussion.

On Monday, the 20-year-olds half-brother Jordan Mainoo-Hames grabbed attention by donning a 'Free Kobbie Mainoo' top at Uniteds 4-4 stalemate against Bournemouth.

Mainoo enjoyed a warm reception from supporters upon entering as a replacement, yet his August plea for a loan departure from Old Trafford was turned down, and rumours persist about a possible January transfer.

During Fridays media briefing, Amorim emphasised that the garment would play no role in his picks, noting Mainoo as a midfield candidate without the banned Casemiro.

'Kobbie himself did not wear the T-shirt,' the United manager remarked. 'The shirt will not get him a starting spot, nor send him to the reserves.

'He will feature if we deem him suitable. This poses no problem. I am accustomed to such matters; after a year here, it feels familiar, so we must manage it.

'However, I will not act against Kobbie due to actions from a family member.'

Amorim further responded to remarks by ex-manager Alex Ferguson, who suggested United might need another ten years to claim the Premier League crown.

'He knows the game better than I, particularly English football,' he noted. 'I reckon it will not require that much time to secure a title, and I am unsure who the manager will be then.

'Yet I genuinely feel we will compete for honours in coming seasons. It should not take ages, though one can never predict.'

United sit sixth in the standings prior to Sundays encounter with third-positioned Villa.

Defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire remain sidelined by injury, while Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo are away on Africa Cup of Nations commitments.