Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has framed his handling of Kobbie Mainoo around squad balance and the wider fortunes of several academy graduates. Amorim said his 3-4-2-1 formation does not play to Mainoo’s natural strengths and pointed to recent examples among the club’s youngsters to explain limited minutes.

“[Collyer] is from the academy, he played here, went to West Bromwich [Albion] and he’s not playing,” Amorim highlighted. “He played for Manchester United, so sometimes it’s not because he’s from the academy or whatever. It’s the situation that’s happened.”

Amorim added that opportunities are decided by training and match performance. “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 [opportunities]. Especially last year, everyone has.

“Amass is now struggling in the Championship. Chido is not always a starter in U21s. All these guys played when a lot of people were saying, ‘Sack the manager.’ You can see that I’m not worried. I just look at the team and try to win the next game. I will do that until the end.”

Mainoo was reportedly open to a loan move in the summer but the club declined the request. Amorim said there have been no winter-exit talks to date and stressed communication with the player would be welcomed. “First of all, the team comes first,” Amorim vowed. “If Kobbie comes to me and talks to me, I will talk to him.

“I’m not going to say what I’m going to say to Kobbie, but I will be really pleased if Kobbie is coming to talk to me about that. I just want my players [to be] happy and understand that every individual has their goals. The frustration doesn’t help anybody.

“I had some conversations with him, especially last year, and with other players, but about that subject, no, I didn’t speak with him.”

Amorim acknowledged the broader context: Mainoo is one of few senior academy representatives after the summer departures of Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho, with an 88-year run of including a graduate in matchday squads at risk. The manager has admitted concern about ending that streak and The Telegraph note some inside United have concerns about how Mainoo has been handled. “Of course [I rate Mainoo], like everyone else,” Amorim insisted. “The problem is we are playing with two [midfielders] 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 and now he is a starter.

“Kobbs is one more player that I understand all the interests. I understand how important it is. The hopes that you guys and English guys have. I also just want to win. If he’s the right guy, I will put him in. No problem.”

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca declined to elaborate on recent comments about a perceived lack of support during a press conference held ahead of the Carabao Cup quarterfinal against Cardiff City. Journalists repeatedly asked for clarification but Maresca steered the conversation back to the match and refused to name a target for his earlier remarks.

Asked what he meant by his strong words, Maresca set the tone for the entire press conference. “I already spoke about that and I don’t have nothing to add,” he shrugged. “It’s Cardiff tomorrow, please.”

Reporters pressed him over suggestions that his comments signalled a breakdown with sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart or tensions with co-owner Behdad Eghbali. Maresca did not confirm any of those reports and continued to avoid detail.

“We are in an era where everyone can say what they think,” he said. “I respect people’s opinion, I respect your opinion, but again, I don’t have nothing to add, my focus is just on tomorrow’s game.”

When asked about his command of language and clarity, he replied at length, referencing the languages he speaks before reiterating his position. “I can speak Italian, my language, Spanish very well, French very well, and English more or less,” he continued. “I think when I want to say something, I’m quite clear. I already spoke after the game, I don’t need to add more.

“Italian, Spanish, French, so you all are aware. It’s done, it’s finished. It was after the game, I said what I said after the game. Now it’s focused on Cardiff.”

Reports linking the manager to a possible departure were also dismissed by Maresca, who was unequivocal about his commitment to the role. When asked if he was happy as Chelsea manager and 100% committed to the position, Maresca firmly stressed: “Absolutely, yes.”

The briefing concluded on a lighter note with a routine question about the form of Malo Gusto, the same subject Maresca had used to change the topic following the Everton game.

The case for the Premier League’s most consequential summer signing this season is straightforward and rooted in impact. Granit Xhaka arrived at Sunderland from Bayer Leverkusen for £13 million and, four months into the campaign, has become the club’s central figure.

On Sunday he was forced off with a cut eyelid at the Stadium of Light, furious to leave a game he was dominating. He has played 1,423 of a possible 1,440 Premier League minutes this season, has supplied four assists and one goal, and averages one foul a game while collecting four yellow cards so far. His presence has helped Sunderland to 26 points and a position where safety looks within three wins.

The derby win over Newcastle crystallised his value. Xhaka ran the show against Nick Woltemade, whose £69 million move from Stuttgart ended in a spectacular own goal. Xhaka imposed himself physically, with a challenge on Lewis Miley, and tactically, using his left foot to switch play and directing teammates such as Bertrand Traoré and Robin Roefs to cover threats.

Sunderland’s recruitment has been bold. The club spent £149 million on 11 new signings, yet only Xhaka, Simon Adingra from Brighton & Hove Albion and Bertrand Traoré had prior experience in the English top flight. A three-year contract and the persuasiveness of Kyril Louis-Dreyfus underline the ambition behind the move.

Xhaka’s story is also one of redemption. Stripped of the captaincy at Arsenal under Unai Emery and sent to Bayer Leverkusen in 2023 for £21 million after repeated suspensions, he rebuilt his reputation under Xabi Alonso. Kicker magazine described him as “the strategist”. His coaching education and experience guiding younger players in training have equipped him to lead a newly promoted side.

Compared with high-profile signings elsewhere—Hugo Ekitike’s 10 goals in 23 games for Liverpool since his £69 million move, Martin Zubimendi settling at Arsenal after a £60 million transfer, or Gianluigi Donnarumma’s assured displays at Manchester City—the defining metric for Xhaka is transformation. For sheer influence on a club’s season, few signings match his effect at Sunderland.