Roy Keane has urged Kobbie Mainoo to fight for his place in the Manchester United squad rather than seeking alternative options, as speculation continues to swirl around his Old Trafford future. The England international’s situation at United has become a talking point since the summer transfer window, when he requested a loan move that the club ultimately blocked.

Under Ruben Amorim this season, the 20-year-old has been limited to just 11 Premier League appearances, all as a substitute. His sole start came in the Carabao Cup loss to League Two outfit Grimsby Town in August. The debate intensified this week when Mainoo’s half-brother, Jordan Mainoo-Hames, wore a ‘free Kobbie Mainoo’ T-shirt during the dramatic 4-4 draw with Bournemouth.

The midfielder entered the fray with less than half an hour remaining, marking his third-longest Premier League outing this term in an entertaining clash at Old Trafford.

After Mainoo-Hames shared the photograph on Instagram, fresh doubts emerged regarding the midfielder’s future and mindset. On the Stick to Football podcast, Keane dismissed the gesture as foolish and called on Mainoo to graft his way into contention.

“Are you telling me that he can’t sit there for another six months? He might think the manager’s on his way out in the summer,” Keane said. “He’s 20 years of age, what’s wrong with sitting and learning your trade? And even if he’s not getting a chance, we’ve all had to do it.

“Sometimes a manager is on your case and what you have to do is prove them wrong. Jamie made a point that he never felt like a regular at Liverpool, I never felt like that at United. Every day is your chance to prove yourself to the manager and when the manager is picking his team, [he goes] ‘he has to play’. He’s got to get that in his mindset.

“And when he’s got his idiot of a brother doing all that… we shouldn’t even be giving that kind of stuff the time of day. Sometimes you’re just surrounded by idiots, especially the families.”

Keane continued regarding Mainoo’s prospects at United: “What’s football about? The life of a footballer is about trying to prove people wrong. There was chat about Bruno [Fernandes] leaving the summer, he might leave next summer. Bide your time.

“I have no problem players going out on loan, it can work for everybody, but sometimes as a player, your biggest challenge is here at Man United and getting into that first-team. Even if the manager is saying ‘you’re not going to get in over Bruno’, prove them wrong!”

Despite the speculation surrounding Mainoo, Amorim has declined to confirm whether a loan switch would be approved. “I had some conversations with him, especially last year, and with other players, but about that subject, no, I didn’t speak with him,” he said.

“I will be really pleased if Kobbie comes to talk to me about that. I just want my players happy. I understand every individual has their goals and the frustration doesn’t help anybody. I’m not going to say what I would say but I would talk to him.

“I am completely open, that is clear. I have my ideas and that is also clear. I will not change if I don’t believe it but I’m open to speak with any player. I love that.”