It’s being reported that Manchester United could part ways with Kobbie Mainoo, who doesn’t seem to be a priority selection under Ruben Amorim right now.
The manager from Portugal is facing pressure to get results for Manchester United, but it seems he’s chosen to keep two of the team’s most promising young players on the sidelines.
There’s a chance that Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho could be on the move before the summer transfer window closes, either on a temporary loan or a permanent deal.
Kobbie Mainoo might leave Manchester United before the transfer deadline
Other Premier League teams should jump at the chance to sign Mainoo, as he’s reportedly considered to be behind Bruno Fernandes in the hierarchy, making it unlikely he’ll get to play ahead of the captain, especially since Man United isn’t in any European competitions this season.
The 20-year-old didn’t get off the bench during their defeat to Arsenal on the opening weekend, and was once again left watching from the sidelines at Craven Cottage a week later when the team drew 1-1 with Fulham.
Mainoo was in the starting lineup for each of Man United’s first seven league matches under Erik ten Hag last year before a muscle problem sidelined him for a month.
During that time, the manager from the Netherlands was dismissed, and Amorim took over.
Since the young coach arrived in November 2024, Mainoo’s role has been reduced; he’s often taken off early in the second half when he does start, and brought on for the last 10 minutes of games when he doesn’t.
Sources inside Man United don’t anticipate a sale, according to The Athletic, but they admit that anything could happen in the final days of the transfer window, which suggests they might reconsider if they get a good enough offer.
Chelsea have reportedly shown interest in the young midfielder before, but were put off by the £70 million asking price. Now, sources from Old Trafford suggest they might be willing to let him go for around £45m.
Teams from other countries are also paying close attention, as Mainoo is said to be open to playing abroad, which he considered as a youth player.
FourFourTwo believes that Amorim’s time in charge at Old Trafford might be limited. The club also has the option to extend Mainoo’s contract by a year if they choose to. His current deal runs until 2027, and it seems, at least from an outsider’s perspective, that he’s more likely to contribute positively to Man United’s future than the current manager is.
Selling the England international for what some might see as less than his market value, especially to a Premier League rival, could be a mistake for Man United, as replacing a player with his talent and skills would likely cost more than the suggested £45m.
