Manchester United 0-1 Everton match review and highlights
Man Utd want to overhaul their midfield and there is an obvious player to sale if they need to fund it.
It was supposed to signal the start of a new era for Manchester United. Instead, it is a picture that will be scrutinised in the years ahead of wasted talent, and perhaps three who never fulfilled their enormous potential at the club. Mainoo is already the last one standing from that image, he might not be standing much longer.
A few months later, he and Garnacho would shine as United defeated Man City in the FA Cup Final. Mainoo would go on to start for England in the European Championship Final later that summer. Now, he can't even start for a United side that only has four senior central midfielders.
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Ruben Amorim has prioritised a midfield overhaul next year, a damning indictment on those already at the club. Bruno Fernandes is the only central midfielder who can be relied upon, albeit in his unfavoured position, while Casemiro is clearly on the decline and can't be trusted to play twice a week. Manuel Ugarte has struggled ever since he joined from Paris Saint-Germain and Kobbie Mainoo is desperate for more playing time.
The issue for Mainoo is he doesn't deserve it right now. The 20-year-old might still be one of the best midfield talents around, but he has suffered the most from the formation change under Ruben Amorim. Mainoo is not defensively disciplined to play in the holding role and is in competition with Fernandes for the other position. He is never going to beat him to that.
Some might argue Mainoo deserves the chance to displace Fernandes in the heart of the midfield, but he hasn't done enough when given those chances. The academy graduate was introduced from the bench in the 1-0 home defeat to Everton on Monday night and failed to positively influence the match as they struggled to breakdown their resolute opponents.
Mainoo is scrutinised more than most due to his pedigree as a homegrown talent, but there is only so much sympathy that can be afforded when his level of performance has simply not been good enough either. It seems abundantly clear that Amorim does not trust him to play a meaningful role in his midfield and his opportunities will only diminish if they spend big on the position next year. That's if he is still around.
United have made no progress over a new contract for Mainoo and it is hard to see a compromise when he has such a reduced role in the first-team squad. The youngster is contracted until 2027, with the option of another year at the discretion of the club. It means they are still in control over his future, but it leaves them with a difficult decision to make next summer.
Amorim would like to sign two midfielders and holds a preference for those with Premier League experience. Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson and Carlos Baleba are all of interest, though they would all likely command a club-record fee in excess of the £89 million spent on Paul Pogba almost a decade ago.
It means United will have to raise money if they are to add two elite options to their squad. Even with his lack of playing time, Mainoo would be an attractive asset for plenty of teams and any fee received would be classified as pure profit from a financial perspective under current rules.
Mainoo does not want to leave the club and might deep down wonder if he can outlast Amorim and a potential formation change. That appears to be the only immediate way back for him at his boyhood club, though owner Jim Ratcliffe insists he will give the Portuguese head coach time to turn things around.
If that is the case, it is hard to see anything changing for Mainoo. He is already down the pecking order and would likely drop further down it if they reinforce next summer. He used to be a priceless asset to the United squad; he might soon become an asset in the transfer market instead.
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