Manchester United have a sibling problem that is derailing the careers of breakout stars

Mainoo was overlooked from the start for United, something that is now no surprise. He is yet to make a single Premier League start this term, with Ruben Amorim continuing to choose Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro as his preferred midfield pairing.

But his brother, Jordan, has clearly had enough. The former Love Island star, who made the final week of the show before being dumped, was spotted at Old Trafford wearing a T-shirt that read 'Free Kobbie Mainoo'. Evidently, he believes his sibling should be starting matches. There are certainly sections of the fanbase, and club legends, who are in agreement.

Yet what good does this do? The answer is none whatsoever.

It creates a divide between Amorim and supporters as the United manager attempts to create unity. It further emboldens those who believe the Red Devils are still lightyears away from being the United they were during Sir Alex Ferguson's time in charge. It undermines a man who, for all the criticism aimed his way, has the club sitting close to the Champions League qualifying slots just as millions prepare to tuck into their Christmas turkey.

Amorim isn't going to see that T-shirt and throw Mainoo into his starting XI. The former Sporting Lisbon coach has made it clear he will do things his way. That means Casemiro and Fernandes in midfield, players who deserve to start on merit and who scored in the Bournemouth frenzy on Monday. Individuals he trusts completely for whatsoever storms come their way.

Mainoo, in truth, has regressed as a player. His downturn in form started during the closing days of Erik ten Hag's tenure, having previously been a key player for the Dutchman. His last truly standout performance in a red shirt came in the 2024 FA Cup final, when his winning goal helped the Red Devils overcome Manchester City 2-1 at Wembley to end a shambolic season on a heroic high.

🚨👕 Kobbie Mainoo’s brother Jordan on Instagram. pic.twitter.com/laXZEfnQqv

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 15, 2025

There is talent there. Talent that must be nurtured. The 20-year-old impressed for England at last summer's European Championships and still has plenty of time on his side. There is a sense that Mainoo, if he stays, can become a United captain one day. If he leaves, the Red Devils' loss will almost certainly be someone elses gain.

But the actions of his brother are indicative of the modern-day United. Nobody would have dared pull such a stunt during the days where Ferguson ruled the roost. If they had, they'd have been thrown out the door-head first. That same door would then have been shut, locked and bolted.

It isn't the first time a United academy graduate's loved one has hindered their sibling.

When Marcus Rashford plundered home 30 goals in the 2022/23 season under Ten Hag, the stars looked to have finally aligned. After years of inconsistency following stints working under Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the boy had finally become a man.

But Rashford, upon agreeing a lucrative new contract that made him one of the club's highest-earners, started to spiral.

His brother, Dwaine Maynard, irked the club by talking with Paris Saint-Germain when it looked as though Rashford could choose to leave instead of penning a new deal.

Though the Red Devils were aware of the discussions, it was not lost on those high up at Old Trafford that their academy gem was being presented with other options when, at the time, it was in his best interests to repay the club for years of faith.

In Ten Hag, they had the manager who had finally unlocked him. Ultimately, however, their relationship would break down. Rashford was fined following a boozy night out in Belfast and by the time his old boss left, they were barely on speaking terms.

United felt Rashford was never the same following his brother's discussions with PSG. Perhaps they were right, with the forward eventually offloaded by Amorim mere months into his tenure. He is now at Barcelona, rebuilding his career, away from the spotlight of playing for England's biggest club.

Another case in point, and warning to Mainoo, is Alejandro Garnacho.

Like Rashford and Mainoo, he is a product of the club's academy. Also like the pair he was a vital asset for Ten Hag and a key cog in the Dutchman's machine.

But his own brother, Roberto, harmed his cause before he was cut loose to Chelsea.

There were allegations that Roberto would leak starting line-ups to specific journalists. It must be stressed this was never proven, yet the online rumours and his vocal antics did not go unnoticed behind the scenes.

Roberto sparked controversy when, after the Europa League final back in May, which United lost 1-0 to Tottenham, he accused Amorim of 'throwing his brother under the bus'.

The reason why? Simply because Amorim had decided to bench Garnacho in favour of a resurgent Mason Mount, whose goals had helped catapult them into the final in the first place.

Garnacho and Amorim never quite saw eye to eye. The Portuguese had initially been excited to work with such a young prospect. Yet that all changed by the summer, with the Tottenham debacle ultimately the final straw for both parties.

Garnacho proceeded to lose his head. Fuelled by the support of his brother, he spent his final few weeks at the club antagonising supporters. He even went as far as posing in a Villa shirt with Rashford's name on the back, a show of support for a player that was no longer in Amorim's thoughts.

What made that gesture even more provocative is the pair, it's understood, weren't even close. Teammates, colleagues, and nothing more.

Fast-forward to now and Mainoo, and his brother, need to beware the lessons of the past.

If not, he'll become the latest player to see their United career unceremoniously ended. Amorim won't take any prisoners, neither will his superiors, and there's nothing to suggest that stance will soften as the club plots a way back to the top after so long in the wilderness.