Manchester United have a big problem brewing with one of their brightest academy stars.
Kobbie Mainoo, once seen as the future of the Red Devils’ midfield, is now at risk of slipping away due to a single decision that may define his Old Trafford career.
The 20-year-old England international wanted a loan move in the summer to get regular minutes, but United blocked it.
Manager Ruben Amorim was determined to keep him. The result? A frustrated midfielder who has only started one game this season, against Grimsby in the EFL Cup.
For the rest, he has either been on the bench or brought on late. In a year when every English player has an eye on the World Cup squad, that lack of action is a huge concern.
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Clubs linked with Kobbie Mainoo transfer
Reports (via Daily Mail) suggest Napoli, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are all monitoring Mainoo’s situation.
Napoli, in particular, were ready to take him on loan in the summer and remain interested. Real and Atleti are also open to a January move if United do not change course.
Amorim’s reluctance to trust Mainoo from the start could be the tipping point. Against Brentford, United’s midfield struggled, yet Mainoo was again left waiting for a chance.
Sources say the player is growing worried that staying put could cost him both international opportunities and valuable development time.
The bigger issue is timing. With United out of Europe and already knocked out of the EFL Cup, there are fewer games to rotate the squad.
That leaves players like Mainoo on the outside looking in. If Amorim continues to rely on senior names ahead of him, the calls from abroad will only get louder.
Mainoo’s contract runs until 2027, but contracts don’t guarantee loyalty if opportunities dry up. United risk watching another young talent slip away if they fail to act quickly.
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