Transfer deadline day has come and gone, and thankfully, Kobbie Mainoo remains a Manchester United player, having been heavily linked with an exit in the last knockings of the window.
An unused substitute in the opening two Premier League games of the season - having also been afforded just mere minutes off the bench in the Europa League final back in May - the 20-year-old appeared to have his heart set on a loan exit from Old Trafford, amid the search for increased game time.
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This is a World Cup year after all, with the United academy graduate firmly out of the England picture at present, despite playing a starring role in the knockout stage run at Euro 2024 just last year.
Having seen Thomas Tuchel elect to recall forgotten man Ruben Loftus-Cheek after a six-year absence this week, Mainoo's place in the midfield pecking order is evident. He needs to get back playing regularly again.
Mainoo vs Grimsby
Once the shining light under Erik ten Hag, the local hero is yet to win over Ruben Amorim. Something needs to change.
Mainoo's rise - and 'fall' - at Man Utd
This writer was there the day that a 16-year-old Mainoo truly announced himself to the Old Trafford faithful with a fine FA Youth Cup final display in May 2022, producing a composed, eye-catching performance at the base of midfield that has since become his trademark.
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Kobbie Mainoo
Fleeting first-team opportunities for the then-teenager followed in 2022/23 - just three to be precise - before he was belatedly unleashed the following campaign, having gradually been introduced after being struck down by injury during pre-season.
From his Man of the Match display away at Everton on just his first Premier League start, Mainoo simply didn't look back over the next six months, with notable highlights including that late winner at Molinuex, alongside his stunning curler at home to Liverpool.
Such a remarkable rise was capped by his Wembley heroics in May 2024, a year on from the midfield maestro having been singled out by Ten Hag as the senior set-up celebrated their Carabao Cup triumph.
For all the negativity that surrounds the Dutchman, his faith in Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho was more than admirable. Amorim, take note.
Indeed, had it not been for Mainoo's inclusion in the squad at Burnley last weekend, United would have been at risk of abandoning an 85-year tradition. Since 1937, an academy player has featured in every matchday squad.
That may seem trivial, but this is the essence of Manchester United. Amorim can't lose that.
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In the Portuguese's defence, however, it isn't as if he won't put faith in young talents when suitable. He appears to have settled on his own boy wonder during his Red Devils tenure thus far.
Leny Yoro is the new boy wonder at Man Utd
Question marks remain over the new INEOS regime at Man United, with notable low points including the protracted pursuit - and subsequent dismissal - of Dan Ashworth, alongside the indecision regarding Ten Hag's future following the FA Cup final.
Throw into the mix the ongoing off-field issues which have clouded the club in recent times, namely a string of redundancies under Sir Jim Ratcliffe's watch, and the new-look hierarchy still have a way to go to win over an expectant and committed fanbase.
That being said, an optimist could look to the odd success story on the transfer front thus far, with the capture of Leny Yoro an obvious case in point.
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Poached from Lille on a £52m deal last summer, amid rival interest from the mighty Real Madrid, the ability to entice the teenage Frenchman appeared to be a real coup at the time. Just over 12 months on, and that remains the case even more so.
While an injury sustained against Arsenal last summer halted his introduction to Premier League football, in a similar vein to Mainoo a year earlier, the 19-year-old grew into the campaign in impressive fashion, following his competitive debut in December.
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The doubters will look to his performance against Southampton, and more specifically against Kamaldeen Sulemana, as a reason for concern, but that was a rare blot on the copybook for a player yet to realise his full potential.
That night at the Theatre of Dreams aside, Yoro has looked simply sublime under Amorim, seemingly relishing his role at right centre-back or left centre-back in this much-discussed 3-4-2-1 system.
From his last-ditch challenge on Darwin Nunez away at Anfield, to his vital header out in Lyon, 2025 has proven to be the year of Yoro thus far, none more so than amid that Europa League run.
While others of more seniority and authority faltered around him, the £115-per-week talent - as per Capology - was a real driving force during that surge to Bilbao. Indeed, he quite literally drove Amorim's men up the pitch from deep at any available occasion, namely against Athletic Club to tee up Mason Mount's crucial curler.
Described as a "generational" talent by Statman Dave, Yoro ranked in the top 3% of centre-backs in the competition for progressive carries per 90 last term, as per FBref, as well as in the top 7% for pass completion.
Tipped to be 'the new Rio Ferdinand' by Amorim, he also started the new campaign in fine fettle, averaging 3.4 tackles and interceptions per game in the top-flight, as per Sofascore, while winning 82% of his aerial duels thus far.
Most appearances under Amorim
Player
Bruno Fernandes
Noussair Mazraoui
Rasmus Hojlund
Alejandro Garnacho
Diogo Dalot
Manuel Ugarte
Leny Yoro
Andre Onana
Harry Maguire
Joshua Zirkzee
via Transfermarkt
Positions are up for grabs across the park, but Yoro's starting berth appears almost nailed on. Was it any coincidence that when afforded a rare rest for the trip to Grimsby, the team simply fell apart defensively?
Only six players have made more United appearances since Amorim walked in the door, with the youngster's importance to both his manager and his team only looking set to grow and grow.
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Every manager appears to have their favoured rising star when in the United dugout, and while Yoro may not be a product of the academy like Mainoo, he represents everything that this new regime should be looking for to build around.