Kobbie Mainoo has slipped down the pecking order at Manchester United.placeholder image
Kobbie Mainoo has slipped down the pecking order at Manchester United. | Gareth Copley/Getty Images
Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has been linked to a potential January exit this winter.
Man United will be heading into the January transfer window with a lot to ponder, as they will potentially need to sell a couple of names before they can bring in their top targets.
The defensive midfield position is a priority for United, so instead of just letting someone like Mainoo leave, they could involve him in a swap deal to land one of their top targets, and a potential opportunity has arisen in recent days.
Man United could swap Mainoo for Tchouameni
They could offer Kobbie Mainoo as a part of the deal, with the advertisement that he can turn into a world-class midfielder if he lives up to his full potential. He could end up being Madrid’s perfect replacement for Tchouameni.
It would be an insane deal if it were to happen, but it would leave Man United with their new long-term holding midfielder, who could potentially push them into title contention based on how good he is.
The Frenchman has made 17 appearances in all competitions for Xabi Alonso’s side so far this season, showing how much of a key player he is. But, with Mainoo’s market value of around £40m, United could offer another £40m on top, and try to land Tchouameni in a partial swap.
While on the face of it, it could look like a risky move for Madrid - the Spanish club only need to look to the likes of Napoli and Barcelona signing Scott McTominay and Marcus Rashford to see how some players have thrived since leaving Old Trafford.
What has Ruben Amorim said about Mainoo’s future?
Despite Mainoo’s lack of playing time under Ruben Amorim, especially this season, the Man United manager has made it clear that he wants to keep the 20-year-old and that he is part of his long-term plans at Old Trafford.
Amorim said earlier in the season: “I want Kobbie to stay. He needs to fight for his place, and we need Kobbie. So that is not going to change.”
However, the evidence so far this season suggests that he doesn’t trust Mainoo that much, as he hasn’t been starting him over Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte.
Paul Scholes also agreed that United need to keep hold of Mainoo, as he said he could become one of their best players. He said earlier in the season: “I think you guys feel like he is the finished product – and he is not.
“He has so much potential to grow up even more. He’s United’s brightest spark. He’s probably the leading man who could be here for the next 5-10 years.”
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