Speculation has continued to grow around Kobbie Mainoo's future at Manchester United
Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United comes on during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Bournemouth at Old Trafford on December 15, 2025 in Manchester, England.
Amorim insists Mainoo is still part of his plans at Manchester United(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
View 3 Images
Sir Alex Ferguson believes academy players are still the future of Manchester United despite the likes of Scott McTominay and Alejandro Garnacho being sold. Both former Carrington stars have left the club in the last year with fellow academy boy Kobbie Mainoo potentially following suit in January.
McTominay graduated from the United youth team in 2013, working his way up the ranks until he made his senior debut in 2017. The Scottish midfielder made 255 appearances for the club, scoring 29 goals and providing eight assists before moving on to Napoli in 2024.
Former manager Ferguson was full of praise for McTominay during his time at the club. He insisted the playmaker would go on to become one of United's biggest stars.
"Scott McTominay is now emerging as one of Man United's big players," Ferguson told the Scottish FA in 2021. "When you watch Man United pick their team for a big game, McTominay's name is in it. He's a good character, a great trainer. I know a little bit about the boy and I think that's the background."
Just three years later, McTominay left United and became Italy's newest hero as he helped Napoli win the Serie A title at the first time of asking.
Now, fellow midfielder Mainoo may be following in his former teammate's footsteps and Fergie will likely be left saddened by this. Speaking at a golf event in 2024, the iconic manager insisted that the likes of Mainoo and Garnacho - who is now at Chelsea - are the beating soul of the club.
Ferguson said: "It's the foundation isn’t it? It's the heart and soul of what Manchester United has been since the days of Sir Matt Busby, who started the whole process of trusting young players playing.
"They're young. What they’re showing at the moment, the composure and confidence to play in the first-team, and not be daunted by it. In a way, it shows you the kind of courage they have."
A dejected Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United at full time during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Bournemouth at Old Trafford on December 15, 2025 in Manchester, England.
Kobbie Mainoo has been linked with an exit from Old Trafford this season
View 3 Images
Ferguson's thoughts are clear on the sale of Mainoo from these comments - sell him and you are losing the true meaning of Manchester United.
Despite rumours circling that the England international is set to leave Old Trafford, current boss Ruben Amorim claims he isn't the one who wants to see Mainoo go. Speaking before United's 1-0 win over Newcastle on Boxing Day, the Portuguese boss insists the midfielder will not leave.
Amorim said: "Kobbie Mainoo will have the opportunity he has all the time. He played in different positions - we talked about the position of Casemiro, he can do that.
"If you play with a three, he can play like we did in the last game with the position of Mason Mount, he can play there. He is going to be the future of Manchester United, that is my feeling, he just needs to wait for his chance and everything can change in football in two days."
Reflecting on United's depth in midfield, the 40-year-old added: "If we are not getting someone, it’s hard to [let Mainoo leave]. We are shorter.
Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United comes on during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Bournemouth at Old Trafford on December 15, 2025 in Manchester, England.
Amorim insists Mainoo is still part of his plans at Manchester United
View 3 Images
"Even with a full squad, we are shorter with something that can happen here. We are a club with a big responsibility. We are dealing with all these issues and in everybody’s head, we need to win every game, there are no excuses. So it’s going to be hard to leave the club if we don’t get a substitution.
"A few days before [his injury], we were talking about Kobbie doesn’t have the minutes he deserves or needs. Then there’s an opportunity, and Kobbie is not there.
"Sometimes, it is bad luck and during this year, we have some moments with a bit of bad luck."
Content Image
Content Image