The only current member of this team. Kobbie Mainoo burst onto the scene in the latter months of Erik ten Hag's tenure and scored in the FA Cup final before helping England to the final of Euro 2024. His game has stagnated slightly under Ruben Amorim and there's a great deal of speculation surrounding his long-term future at the club.placeholder image
The only current member of this team. Kobbie Mainoo burst onto the scene in the latter months of Erik ten Hag's tenure and scored in the FA Cup final before helping England to the final of Euro 2024. His game has stagnated slightly under Ruben Amorim and there's a great deal of speculation surrounding his long-term future at the club. | Getty Images
Ruben Amorim reportedly wants to bring in another midfielder in the January transfer window.
Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is in a position of turbulence with his career at the moment. He isn’t getting enough game time under Ruben Amorim, but United don’t want to sell the 20-year-old academy graduate either.
In the summer, Mainoo requested a loan move to get more game time; however, United rejected it and told him he was staying at Old Trafford. Since then, the 20-year-old still hasn’t started a game in the Premier League and has only featured as a substitute.
It is understood that Mainoo will push for a loan move again in January, but it is unclear yet whether United will grant his wishes. They would more likely let him leave if they have a replacement lined up, and reports are now suggesting that they have identified said replacement.
Man United looking to sign Gallagher
Conor Gallagher was linked with a loan move to United in the summer, as his role at Atletico Madrid has been reduced in recent months, however, United opted to make a deadline day move for goalkeeper Senne Lammens instead, turning their attention away from Gallagher.
However, reports are suggesting that United could go in for Gallagher again in January. According to Football Insider, Ruben Amorim approves of United signing Gallagher, and the Red Devils are now keeping tabs on his situation at Madrid ahead of the January transfer window.
The same report says that Tottenham are also keen on the former Chelsea midfielder, and so are Crystal Palace, after they had Gallagher on loan from Chelsea during the 2021/22 season. Atletico are reportedly willing to let him leave on loan, and the midfielder is also open to a move, so it just depends on whether United decide to pursue him in January or considers other targets.
Gallagher has made 12 appearances in all competitions for Madrid so far this season, scoring one goal. If United sign him, it could hand Mainoo the chance to leave on loan with Gallagher as his replacement.
How likely is Mainoo to leave in January?
Mainoo’s situation is a very strange one, because Amorim seems adamant that he doesn’t want to play the midfielder regularly, so the logical move for Man United would be to send him out on loan to ensure he gains more experience and stays fit.
However, the Red Devils seem against the idea of Mainoo leaving on loan, which is slightly puzzling from the outside. The only potential logic behind it is that they are worried about midfield depth if the likes of Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes suffer injuries.
But, if United were to bring someone like Gallagher into the building, then it would potentially give them enough depth to allow Mainoo a move away in January, even just if it were a short-term loan until the end of the season. He’s made just six appearances for United in the Premier League this season, appearing for just 118 minutes.
Continue Reading