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Ruben Amorim is about to be reminded of the worst thing he did at Manchester United Man Utd will take on AC Milan in their final pre-season game, meaning Ruben Amorim will be reunited with his former club. Marcus Rashford has been the name on everyone's lips this week. There has been a fascination with his return to the club after 18 months away, and the prospect of his first game back being against Ruben Amorim has not gone unnoticed. Amorim axed Rashford in December 2024, leading to his Aston Villa loan, but the focus on Rashford has meant nobody has been talking about Kobbie Mainoo, who has even more reason to be frosty with the former United boss. Although Rashford was allowed to leave, Mainoo was not afforded that privilege by Amorim, who denied his loan request last summer despite having decided that he did not fit into his system. The consequences were pretty severe for Mainoo. He went through the most difficult period of his career, not starting a Premier League game last term until Amorim was sacked on January 5, and he would have been forced to leave on a permanent transfer if he'd remained in charge. Darren Fletcher reinstated Mainoo to the starting XI in the second of his two games in charge as caretaker boss, and the youngster's glittering form under Michael Carrick earned him a spot in the England squad. The odds of Mainoo getting into the England squad for the World Cup were ridiculously short when Amorim was in charge. Reflecting on the first half of his season, he told reporters in the USA: “I mean, obviously there were difficult times. "But I tried to keep my focus on what was in front of me, take things day by day and just keep working my craft, keep working hard for the team, and I hoped the rest would come. Thankfully it has.” When asked if he had Carrick to partly thank for his World Cup call-up, he said: "Definitely, and I told him that I was very grateful. Because if he hadn't put me on the pitch, then I wouldn't have been here so, I'm always grateful to him for that." Mainoo was diplomatic when he described his situation as having been "difficult." His answer on Amorim's treatment of him would likely be different if asked behind closed doors. This afternoon's game against AC Milan, who appointed Amorim in June, will only be available to follow on MUTV, which is a shame, as there is no chance the in-house club cameras will show Mainoo and Amorim in close proximity. The members of the Manchester pack who are travelling to the Tarczynski Arena will be watching Mainoo and Amorim from the press box. There will definitely be a few warm embraces between United players and Amorim. Some posted 'farewell and thank you' messages when he was sacked, while Bryan Mbeumo suggested that Amorim still had the players' support when he spoke in the mixed zone a few weeks after his exit. Mainoo will not be among the players who touch base with Amorim before the game, though. Amorim's stance on Mainoo was not personal, but his professional opinion has been proven to be nonsensical. "Some of you think that Kobbie Mainoo is already done [the finished article]. I think he can do so much better, he can improve in a lot," said Amorim during a press conference in September. "I think for some guys it is enough [their talent], but for him it is not enough. Maybe it’s not fair, but I think I'm helping Kobbie Mainoo, and that’s it. He will have opportunities like the other guys." Mainoo could be at the heart of United's midfield for the next 10 years. When he conducted his first interview with external media in 2024, the press officer smiled as they said the midfielder would be a United mixed zone representative every four weeks for the next decade. Nobody at the club has ever doubted how crucial Mainoo is to United. Apart from Amorim.