A Manchester United midfielder has been named as one of the potential replacements for Gavi after the Barcelona midfielder picked up a serious injury.
Under Rúben Amorim, the Manchester United side needs different qualities and skillsets from what was required under Erik ten Hag. This is normal when a new manager takes charge, but it has led to several former first-team players leaving the club.
For example, former star boy Marcus Rashford made his second move away from Old Trafford to join Barcelona on a season-long loan this summer, while Jadon Sancho joined Rashford’s former side, Aston Villa, on loan.
Amorim is trying to build a new United, and it has led to several unexpected outgoings, like the two just mentioned. More outgoings are expected as Amorim’s tenure goes on, as the former Sporting CP boss looks to change the club for the better.
Tyrell Malacia – who was named in the exiled squad along with Rashford and Sancho – has stayed at United this season, after his loan move to Elche collapsed.
He will be one of a few players looking for January moves, as Barcelona could be interested in a second United star after Gavi’s injury.
Mainoo named as Gavi replacement
Gavi suffered an injury at the start of the season and has now been forced into knee surgery. This could keep him out for five months, meaning Barcelona will be missing a key player for almost the entire season.
While they can’t replace him until January, Barcelona are already exploring the possibility of signing Kobbie Mainoo to take Gavi’s place. Fichajes have said that: “The board’s plan is to request a loan with an option to buy from United,” due to his lack of playing time this season.
Mainoo – who has been described as “amazing” by many of those within football – is competing for minutes with Bruno Fernandes and looked for a loan move before the end of the summer window, but this was turned down by United.
With United now out of the Carabao Cup, Mainoo will struggle even more for starting opportunities and could be forced into looking away from his boyhood club if he wants to play regular football ahead of the World Cup in the summer.
Barcelona are said to be “confident” that Mainoo could transition to Hansi Flick’s football, like Rashford has in his short time in Spain.
United are making a huge mistake with Mainoo
At the end of the 2023/24 season, Mainoo scored the winning goal in the FA Cup final against Manchester City. That was his first full season as a senior player.
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He is only 20 years old and could become one of the greatest midfielders the Premier League has ever seen, but he won’t develop if he doesn’t play.
The Stockport-born midfielder has been forced to compete with one of the best midfielders in world football, instead of being given a dedicated place in the side, like he should have been with his ability.
Fernandes is playing out of position in the double pivot, meaning he can’t reach his full potential, and neither can Mainoo. It is very poor squad planning for Jason Wilcox and Amorim
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