Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly played a key role in a late transfer decisionplaceholder image
Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly played a key role in a late transfer decision | Getty Images
The latest Man Utd transfer news and gossip after the summer window closed this week.
Fabrizio Romano claims Sir Jim Ratcliffe played a role in the decision to block Kobbie Mainoo’s request to leave Manchester United on loan in the final days of the summer transfer window. The 20-year-old did not feature for United across their opening two matches of the Premier League season but played the entirety of their Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby Town and played the second-half of their weekend win over Burnley.
It is understood Mainoo asked to leave the club on loan a week ago after the Carabao Cup defeat, but saw his request refused by the club due to their shortage of options in central midfield. The academy graduate does not want to leave his boyhood club permanently, but felt a temporary exit would allow him to get the playing time he needs to secure his spot at the World Cup next summer.
Mainoo made his case to the United hierarchy last week, but it is understood a unanimous decision was made between all parties for him to remain at the club.
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Speaking in his latest YouTube video, Fabrizio Romano also claimed United owner Ratcliffe blocked the suggestion of a loan exit. "Kobbie Mainoo has spent a complicated and difficult six or seven days to handle," Romano said. "After the Fulham game, he went directly to Ruben Amorim with his agent to say he was not happy. Not happy because he did not play.
"I can guarantee, this a really important point, Kobbie Mainoo loves Manchester United. Kobbie Mainoo is very happy at Manchester United, but he is not happy about the game time. Man United don't have European football, Man United don't have the League Cup. They only play in the Premier League, so Kobbie Mainoo doesn't play in this moment.
"This is why Kobbie was not happy with the situation, this is why Kobbie asked to go on loan, he never asked to go on a permanent. Never been a possibility, either for Man United or for Kobbie Mainoo. But he did want to go on loan. It was a priority for Kobbie Mainoo to go on loan. Man United said no, they decided internally, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe involved, that they couldn't sell Kobbie Mainoo. This was a decision made with all the people involved: directors, CEO, coach and owner. 'We can't let Kobbie Mainoo go,' that was the position.
"Now we have some interesting months ahead. If Kobbie Mainoo plays the situation will be okay, if he stays on the bench I think in January this could be a topic again."
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