Newcastle United FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League
Former Chelsea and England star Joe Cole (Picture: Getty)
Joe Cole has advised Kobbie Mainoo to stay at Manchester United amid interest from Premier League rivals Chelsea.
Old Trafford academy graduate Mainoo has made 60 appearances for United over the past two seasons, emerging as a key player for former manager Erik ten Hag and current boss Ruben Amorim.
Mainoo was one of Manchester United’s best players in the second-half of last season and the 19-year-old’s impressive form resulted in a call-up to England’s squad for Euro 2024.
The teenage star has been less influential this season and Cole believes that is largely because Red Devils captain Bruno Fernandes plays in Mainoo’s best position.
As a result, Amorim has used Mainoo as a playmaker and even a false nine in recent weeks to mixed results.
Manchester United are reportedly open to selling Mainoo and Premier League rivals Chelsea have expressed interest in a summer deal.
But ex-England midfielder Cole, who spent seven years at Stamford Bridge, believes it would be a mistake for Mainoo to leave his boyhood club even if he is struggling for minutes in his best position on the pitch.
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Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo (Picture: Getty)
‘At the moment, Kobbie Mainoo’s best position is where Bruno Fernandes plays; a loose number eight and 10 but unfortunately for Kobbie, Bruno’s the best player at the club and the captain,’ Cole told Paddy Power.
‘Mainoo playing multiple positions won’t harm his development, it’ll help him, especially as a young player.
‘He will get stronger as he grows into a man’s body but first and foremost, he needs to play in a team that plays football and has the ball.
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Alejandro Garnacho has also been linked with an Old Trafford exit (Picture: Getty)
‘He’s a wonderful footballer and a wonderful technician but my only concern for him which may stunt his development, is if Manchester United need to sell him because of the financial rules.
‘It seems to be in vogue to sell your academy players because you can keep more money from the margin.
‘From what I understand, Manchester United may be looking into moving Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho on because they need to balance the books in the summer which isn’t a good thing for Kobbie.
Crystal Palace FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League
Chelsea have been linked with a move for Mainoo (Picture: Getty)
‘He should stay at Manchester United and play, especially as a Manchester lad.
‘I’ve got no problem with him playing multiple positions. I think he’ll end up as an eight or 10 but he’s such a wonderful football player.’
While United are believed to be open to selling Mainoo, they value the highly-rated midfielder at around £80m.
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While Chelsea are admirers of Mainoo, the west London club also considered a move for his United teammate Alejandro Garnacho during the January transfer window.
Earlier this week, Manchester United legend Paul Scholes said Mainoo looks ‘lost’ at Old Trafford and questioned if Amorim knew how to utilise the academy star.
‘I think Mainoo is lost,’ Scholes said. ‘I’ve talked about Declan Rice being lost at Arsenal – I think Mainoo is lost as well.
‘They don’t know what to do with him. I don’t think he knows where to play on a football pitch.
‘He’s been played in one of the number 10 positions, he has been played in the two in the midfield, which I can see probably doesn’t suit him because I don’t think he’s the greatest athlete.
‘He’s a great footballer. I think the No 10 does suit, [but] the false nine, never in a million years.’
Mainoo started Manchester United’s FA Cup victory over Leicester City last week but Amorim’s side were tailing by a goal when he was replaced by Joshua Zirkzee on the hour mark.
United, sitting just 13th in the Premier League, travel to north London on Sunday to face Tottenham.
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