Man Utd youngster Kobbie Mainoo could leave the club this summer.
Man Utd youngster Kobbie Mainoo could leave the club this summer.
Kobbie Mainoo was viewed as the long term future of Manchester United's midfield after his stellar display in the FA Cup win against Manchester City. Now, less than 12 months on, he could be on his way out of Old Trafford.
United's Academy graduate has been in talks with the club over a new deal since March 2024, but we're no closer to a conclusion between both parties.
After an impressive breakthrough campaign with the Reds last season, Mainoo was one of few players to be given an untouchable transfer status under Ineos' new rule - only to have that revoked in recent months.
Chelsea are among the clubs said to be keen on signing the 19-year-old, with a potential sale viewed as pure profit in the eyes of the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Regulations (PSRs). The sheer fact his departure is even being considered is ludicrous.
There's no getting away from the fact United's financial situation is quite miserable, with Ruben Amorim admitting the club need to sell players before they can reinvest into their squad.
Mainoo has also not been able to nail down a position in Amorim's XI, which seems staggering given he was a key player this time last year, not to mention their lack of depth in central areas.
Former Reds' manager Erik ten Hag described Mainoo as the "perfect midfielder" - and he was a regular in central midfield in England's EURO 2024 campaign with Gareth Southgate labelling him as "exceptional" and said England "hadn't really had a player like him until now."
So, why on earth would United want to sell a player so highly rated - and especially to a Premier League rival? It defies belief.
The topic of Mainoo's future at Old Trafford is indicative of the mess the club find themselves in. The new era has promised to build a side of young, exciting talents - in which Mainoo should be at the core - and yet, uncertainty around his future does not bode well for those who might follow in his footsteps.
The club have signed Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven and Chido Obi from elsewhere and all three have featured for the first-team this season, while Toby Collyer also joined the club from Brighton in recent years.
This isn't a slight on the quartet mentioned, but what does it say about the modern Premier League a player such as Mainoo is considered as someone who can be sold in order to pass financial regulations?
Manchester United and England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo. (Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)
Mainoo is ahead of all four in terms of trajectory in terms of his experience both domestically and internationally. He's exactly the type of player United should be building their squad around - supported by the signings of those mentioned above. It shouldn't be one or the other.
United have a brilliant track record of bringing through talents they can call their own - the Class of '92 the golden generation of said stars. It's part of the club's DNA and there's a serious risk of that changing.
Sure, there's the argument that one homegrown star may need to be sold for the greater good, but for myself, it's the harsh reality of life as a Premier League football club. The next generation coming through the Academy should be able to point to someone like Mainoo as an example to follow.
Some will argue that the Class of '92 debate is now an outdated one and a one in a lifetime group of players, but for a club of United's stature, why should it be? This is one of the world's biggest football clubs being talked about selling one of their brightest talents.
Could you imagine a Barcelona selling a Lionel Messi - or Lamine Yamal? Granted, those two are on a level of their own, but the premise still stands. A homegrown talent with the world at their feet should be part of the future, not some bargaining chip used to help balance the books.
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