The final whistle at Craven Cottage signaled more than just the end of Manchester United’s away game; it seemed to echo a growing uncertainty surrounding the future of young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo. After spending the entirety of the first two Premier League matches on the substitutes’ bench, Mainoo’s demeanor painted a clear picture of his current state of mind. He lingered on the pitch, a solitary figure contemplating his situation, before quietly boarding the team bus, head bowed.
Sources familiar with the situation, speaking anonymously, confirm that Mainoo is deeply frustrated by his lack of playing time. This isn’t a sudden development, however. Questions regarding his role and opportunities within Ruben Amorim’s tactical setup have been circulating for months. Consequently, the 20-year-old academy graduate is reportedly open to exploring options outside of Old Trafford before the transfer window slams shut. He has discussed this potential departure with teammates, indicating the seriousness of his considerations.
Interestingly, Manchester United have also been internally weighing the possibility of selling Mainoo throughout the summer. While he isn’t grouped with the so-called "bomb squad" – players like Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho, and Tyrell Malacia who have been training separately – Mainoo, alongside striker Rasmus Hojlund, has been identified as a potential player who could be sold since June. In fact, the club has reportedly been willing to consider offers for him since January, provided the price is right.
Despite this willingness to sell, United sources maintain that they are not actively pushing Mainoo out the door. Staff members are generally pleased with his attitude and work ethic, acknowledging that, like all players, he has areas for improvement. There’s an expectation within Old Trafford that he will remain a United player beyond the transfer deadline, although the unpredictable nature of the final days of the window leaves room for doubt.
The club’s pursuit of midfield reinforcements further complicates Mainoo’s situation. While a move for Brighton & Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba is considered a dream, albeit financially unrealistic, the primary focus has been on identifying a player to compete with or provide cover for Bruno Fernandes. This player would effectively slot into a role that, according to Amorim’s vision, would diminish Mainoo’s opportunities within the squad.
Several European clubs have expressed interest in Mainoo. Bayern Munich explored a potential move but didn’t formalize their interest. Erik ten Hag, now managing Bayer Leverkusen, would have welcomed a reunion with a player he previously championed at Manchester United. However, a deal was deemed financially unfeasible for the German club.
Mainoo is believed to prefer a move to a continental club over staying within the Premier League. He previously explored options in Germany during his time in United’s academy. Despite interest from Chelsea in January, where they were quoted a £70 million asking price, United would reportedly now accept around £45 million, potentially even less as the deadline approaches. Tottenham Hotspur has also been linked with the player.
Whether other exit routes materialize remains to be seen. Regardless of whether he stays or leaves, the reality is that a local-born academy product is closer to leaving than ever before. This situation stems from two main factors: his struggle for consistent playing time under Amorim, and stalled negotiations regarding a new contract.
Mainoo signed a four-year deal, with an option for a further year, in February 2023. At the time, he had only made two senior appearances: a start in a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Charlton Athletic, and a substitute appearance in an FA Cup fourth-round tie against Reading. His first Premier League appearance, an 11-minute cameo against Leicester City, was still a few days away. Consequently, the salary offered reflected his status as an academy talent with the potential to break into the first team.
However, his trajectory changed dramatically. Just over a year later, he had established himself as a regular under then-manager Ten Hag, playing 32 games and scoring five goals, including the winner in a 2-1 FA Cup final victory over Manchester City. This impressive form earned him his first major international call-up with England, where he started four games under Gareth Southgate at the European Championship, including the final against Spain.
This rapid rise highlights the complexity of Mainoo’s current situation. Even those who know him well understand the difficult path ahead, both for the player and the club.
Currently, Mainoo earns around £20,000 a week. Negotiations for a new, extended contract have been ongoing for the past year, focusing on a significant increase in his salary. Mainoo, considering his role as a key player, was hoping for a substantial improvement, potentially up to ten times his current wages. At one point, he was starting ahead of Casemiro, a player earning around £350,000 per week when United are in the Champions League. However, the club has been hesitant to meet his demands, believing he needs another year or two of development before reaching that pay grade.
As it stands, the prospect of a new deal appears distant. Sources indicate that Mainoo has no current intention of renewing, given his limited playing opportunities under Amorim. While his willingness to leave was initially seen as a negotiating tactic, it has now become a genuine possibility, whether this summer or in a future transfer window.
Few players in Mainoo’s position would commit to a club where regular playing time is uncertain. Concerns about his pathway to more game time within Amorim’s system are now more relevant than ever.
Amorim has stated that Mainoo’s direct competition for a place is currently Fernandes, the club captain who started all but five of United’s 60 games last season. Fernandes is expected to predominantly play in midfield, rather than at No. 10, following the arrivals of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
This squad reconfiguration has pushed Mainoo to the fringes. However, his playing time, particularly in central midfield, was already decreasing before the arrivals of Cunha and Mbeumo. After missing Amorim’s first few weeks due to injury, Mainoo started in midfield in six of United’s seven games from mid-December to mid-January, until the 3-1 loss to Brighton.
From that point on, Amorim began utilizing Fernandes in midfield more regularly and experimented with Mainoo as a No. 10 and even a false nine. He didn’t start in midfield again before suffering another injury during a week of intense training, sidelining him until early April.
Upon his return, Mainoo’s only starts came in rotated line-ups before or after United’s crucial Europa League knockout ties with Lyon and Athletic Club. Across those four legs, he played just 59 minutes, mostly during extra time against Lyon, where he scored a late equalizer. Despite this dramatic goal, he was again a substitute in the final against Tottenham, brought on in the 90th minute.
The question remains: why has Mainoo fallen out of favor, particularly as a midfield option? Mobility is reportedly one area Amorim has targeted for improvement. The manager stated that Mainoo needs to "increase the pace, the rhythm" of his play. "I’m always on top of that with Kobbie because he’s so good sometimes, but he can be better," Amorim added.
Upon his return from injury, many at Carrington noted that Mainoo had gained muscle mass, leading to questions about whether this would affect his agility.
While some argue that rotation-level minutes are expected for a player of his age, there’s a feeling that United may be placing too much responsibility on young players. Amorim, a former international midfielder himself, understands that players don’t peak at such a young age.
However, figures close to Mainoo have expressed confusion over his lack of playing time and a perceived lack of communication from Amorim. Rather than providing specific instructions, Amorim’s general approach is to tell players to train hard and earn their spot. This applies to the entire squad, not just Mainoo.
Whether this approach is best for young players requiring guidance is questioned by some.
Mainoo, for his part, is reportedly conducting himself professionally at Carrington. He maintains a close relationship with fellow youngster Leny Yoro, with the pair working out together during the summer and socializing in Manchester.
While the season is still young, the opening games have highlighted the difficulty a talented academy graduate faces in securing regular playing time in his preferred position, especially during a World Cup year.
In the two league games, when United needed a goal, Amorim chose to bring on Ugarte and Harry Maguire against Arsenal, and Ugarte, Maguire, and Ayden Heaven at Fulham, seemingly preferring players who offer a threat from set pieces over Mainoo’s skillset.
Mainoo also represents a connection to United’s youth record. An academy graduate has been in every United senior matchday squad since 1937. He was the only one in the squad for last season’s Manchester derby, and his departure could break a run of 4,323 games.
Mainoo’s rise has been rapid, perhaps so rapid that a period of readjustment was inevitable. However, there’s a growing sense that his progress has stalled, and further development may only be possible away from his boyhood club.