Manchester United oversaw many arrivals and departures in the transfer window, but one saga was so important that Sir Jim Ratcliffe had to get especially involved.
After splurging nearly £225m in the summer transfer window on four new signings (Diego Leon signed in January) and sanctioning exits worth nearly £100m, the first phase of the rebuild is done.
The storylines of this transfer window were many, from the dragging saga for Bryan Mbeumo to the soap opera-like twists and turns for Benjamin Sesko.
The departures weren’t without drama either, so it speaks volumes about one player in particular that Sir Jim Ratcliffe felt the need to interject himself to make a clear decision.
Four Manchester United players celebrate goal at Old Trafford
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe intervened in Kobbie Mainoo saga
The window went pretty much along the expected lines, but one saga that nobody saw coming had to do with Kobbie Mainoo’s unhappiness with Man Utd.
Mainoo got snubbed for the first two league games, and with the World Cup on the horizon next season, he needed assurances over playing time.
Ruben Amorim was clearly in no mood to provide those, and hence, a stand-off ensued with Mainoo wanting to leave United, albeit on loan.
Fabrizio Romano, speaking on his YouTube channel, has now revealed that Mainoo’s decision sent shockwaves through the club to such an extent that Sir Jim Ratcliffe came to the table.
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Along with the whole executive team, he led the decision not to allow Mainoo to leave.
Romano said: “Kobbie Mainoo had a difficult and complicated six to seven days. He was not happy about his situation. He never asked to go permanently, but on loan.
“Man Utd internally said no. With Sir Jim Ratcliffe involved, they decided that they couldn’t sell Mainoo. This was a decision with all the people involved.”
Ruben Amorim needs to handle Mainoo carefully
It’s clear from Ratcliffe’s intervention that a fight for influence against Mainoo is not one Amorim is winning, so he needs to tread carefully.
If Mainoo missed out on the World Cup because Amorim doesn’t rate him above Casemiro or Manuel Ugarte, it can break his relationship with the club permanently.
Mainoo’s contract impasse is adding to the uncertainty, and Romano has said that the window closing is just a pause on this saga, not an end.
Romano said: “This could be a topic again if Mainoo stays on the bench. The pitch will have the final say in his situation. One to watch in January again.”
With no European games and elimination from the Carabao Cup, Amorim has to find a way to accommodate Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes if he isn’t going to rest the Portuguese.
Losing a generational academy talent over a system that is yet to provide consistent positive results would go against everything this club stands for.