Kobbie Mainoo could potentially depart Manchester United on loan in the January window after failing to get opportunities under Ruben Amorim.
Kobbie Mainoo spent another match on the sidelines as Manchester United once more failed to secure a win at Old Trafford, drawing 1-1 with West Ham after a late equaliser.
United couldn’t capitalise on results elsewhere, and Ruben Amorim chose to bring on Manuel Ugarte to partner Casemiro in midfield; a move that again failed to pay off, with the Uruguayan struggling to make an impact.
Mainoo was unused and still hasn’t started a Premier League fixture this season. So far, he has played just 171 minutes across 14 appearances.
It’s a far cry from his breakout season in 2023/24, when the 20-year-old was viewed as one of United’s standout performers and capped the campaign by scoring the decisive goal in the FA Cup final against Manchester City. He then continued his rise with a strong Euro 2024 showing for England.
But since Amorim’s arrival, his role has diminished significantly, and despite interest in a loan move over the summer, he was prevented from and the young midfielder is stuck on the fringes.
What Ratcliffe said about Mainoo
Mainoo is looking to depart Old Trafford in January but reports claim that the midfielder is only considering loan moves, rather than a permanent exit. Reports say that up to 12 clubs are interested in him.
But many fans will be concerned that Mainoo’s situation points towards the club trying to sell him so that their PSR position will be stronger next year.
The current financial rules means that selling academy players for pure profit is desirable for many clubs. United have sold Alejandro Garnacho and Scott McTominay in the last two years.
When asked about the potential of selling Mainoo earlier this year, Sir Jim Ratcliffe claimed that the club will not sell players for purely financial reasons but offered no assurances that Mainoo would stay.
“No no. We won’t be selling players because of the state we are in financially. The club had got bloated so we reduced that and will finish it with a lean and efficient organisation,” the United co-owner said.
“That’s how we will address the costs. The player decisions will all be focused on how we are going to improve performance. That’s all.”
Ratcliffe was directly involved in the decision to deny Mainoo a loan move in the summer window although it seems difficult for the club to do the same next month unless his playing time changes.
United are tanking Mainoo’s value
United ended up selling Garnacho for less than £50 million last summer after the Argentine was frozen out of the squad under Amorim.
Mainoo should never leave United but the ironic thing is that even if that is the plan within the club, they are currently tanking his value.
Somehow, it feels like only United can allow such a talented player’s development to slip this much and there needs to be serious questions about Amorim if Mainoo does leave on loan next month.
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