Kobbie Mainoo will remain a Manchester United player amid plenty of speculation over his future.
It has been unsettling for Manchester United fans to see Kobbie Mainoo’s future plunged into doubt.
The 20-year-old struggled with injuries last season, but there is still plenty of belief in his potential. In 2023, the United Academy graduate scored in the FA Cup victory over Man City, before playing in a European Championship final for England just a year later.
However, Mainoo has fallen down the pecking order under Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford after losing his place in United’s starting XI.
This has led to Mainoo missing out on a place in Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad for the September internationals.
Reports last week suggested that Mainoo wanted to leave United on loan to get regular football elsewhere, but the Red Devils stood firm with their decision to keep the midfielder. It was the biggest decision United made on deadline day.
Kobbie Mainoo warming up against Burnley
Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images
Man Utd were right to keep Kobbie Mainoo
The biggest talking points towards the end of the transfer window were United’s goalkeeper situation and Mainoo’s future.
While United agreed a deal for Senne Lammens on deadline day, perhaps the biggest boost of all is that Mainoo remains at Old Trafford.
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After missing the first two games of the season, Mainoo was one of United’s best performers against Grimsby Town before coming off the bench three days later in the 3-2 win over Burnley.
Having demonstrated his abilities in midfield under Erik ten Hag, it would have been a punch in the gut for United fans to lose such a talent.
Amorim must find a way to include a player of Mainoo’s talent in his plans as well as protect one of United’s proudest records, which has been running for over 80 years.
The record in question has seen the Red Devils include an academy graduate in every matchday squad since 1937. It was almost at risk of ending on Saturday against Burnley, as Mainoo was the only academy player after being named on the bench.
Mainoo records impressive stat vs Burnley
Amorim recently stated that Mainoo is ‘fighting’ with Bruno Fernandes for a place in the team. Those comments suggested the United head coach does not see Mainoo as an alternative to Casemiro or Manuel Ugarte, despite having played in a deeper role under Ten Hag.
Mainoo has time on his side to develop many areas of his game, and he showed his ability to protect the defence after coming on as a substitute against Burnley.
After replacing Mason Mount at half-time, Mainoo played 45 minutes and made more ball recoveries (4) than any other player during that time.
No player made more ball recoveries than Kobbie Mainoo (4) in the time that the midfielder was on the pitch.
Good to get some minutes in the legs 🦵 pic.twitter.com/o2cgFSR5Im
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) August 30, 2025
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Mainoo will be aiming for a starting role in the Manchester derby following the international break.