Manchester United are thinking about selling Kobbie Mainoo because he hasn’t been playing much under Ruben Amorim, and Chelsea have been tipped to sign him. This season, the 20-year-old has had a hard time getting into the starting lineup for the Red Devils.
He has only played 273 minutes in all competitions and hasn’t started a Premier League game, even though he was a key player last season. Under Erik ten Hag, who used to be the manager of Manchester United, Mainoo became well-known and became a regular starter.
He scored memorable goals against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool, and then he scored in the FA Cup final win over Manchester City at Wembley. He was called up to England’s Euro 2024 team because of his brilliance and quality in the middle of the park.
But Amorim’s management has made a big difference in his situation. The Portuguese coach has chosen other midfielders over Mainoo, who is now on the verge of the first team. Reports say at least 12 clubs are interested in the midfielder, and Chelsea are among the teams that could be a good fit.
Keith Wyness, who used to be the CEO of Everton, told Football Insider:
“I think it’s very unfair, and I think that Mainoo, look, he’s a squandered talent in that sense. I just don’t think he’s, for some reason, he hasn’t caught [Ruben] Amorim’s eye. He thinks he doesn’t fit the style.
“I think that they decided that Adam Wharton is going to be one of their targets, and I think that Mainoo may find himself reinventing himself at Chelsea.”
Wyness finished:
“That’s where I see the situation going and that’s the whispers I’ve been hearing. I think it would be good for Mainoo. I think he needs to get out of there and move forward.”
Manchester United legends unhappy with Mainoo situation
Paul Scholes, Rio Ferdinand, and Nicky Butt, all Manchester United legends, have all publicly criticized Amorim for how he has treated Mainoo. They say the young player should leave Old Trafford to avoid wasting his career. The growing pressure has made people even more curious about his future, and the January transfer window could be a way out for him.
Chelsea already have a lot of depth in the middle of the field, with Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo becoming important players under manager Enzo Maresca. Andrey Santos is also on the Blues’ team, but Romeo Lavia is still having trouble with injuries.
If Chelsea want to sign Mainoo, the management will have to think carefully about how to fit him into an already crowded midfield while also possibly dealing with Lavia’s ongoing fitness problems.