Despite being under contract until 2027 with the option of another year at Manchester United, Kobbie Mainoo’s future seems somewhat uncertain at Old Trafford.
Kobbie Mainoo burst onto the first team scene at Man United under Erik ten Hag in the 2022/23 season, earning him a spot in England’s Euro 2024 squad.
However, owing partly to injuries, Mainoo’s next year or so hasn’t quite panned out as expected.
And after opening talks with the midfielder over 12 months ago, United are struggling to agree a new contract with Mainoo.
As a result, TBR Football recently revealed that Tottenham Hotspur were monitoring Mainoo’s situation, perhaps sensing an opportunity to sign the 20-year-old.
Man United’s Benjamin Sesko bid might be bad news for Kobbie Mainoo
That being said, Man United’s move to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig this summer, albeit a very positive and ambitious one, might actually be bad news for Mainoo in turn.
On the face of it, Mainoo would surely be very excited to see such a talented striker arrive in Manchester, one who can certainly add something different to Ruben Amorim’s side.
Kobbie Mainoo arrives for Manchester United's match.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
READ MORE: What Kobbie Mainoo’s agent is now demanding from Man United after Tottenham’s approach to sign him
However, Benjamin Sesko’s arrival might mean that Mainoo starts the majority of United’s matches on the bench once the Slovenian has settled in.
That’s because Bruno Fernandes will surely sit in one of Amorim’s two defensive midfield roles were Sesko to arrive.
New signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo will play behind Sesko as the tens in Amorim’s strongest side, and then Fernandes will surely then sit alongside a defensive midfielder.
For now that would look to be Casemiro, or it might eventually be a new signing.
But either way, it seems unlikely that Mainoo will sit as the six.
Ruben Amorim might be out of space for Kobbie Mainoo at Old Trafford
United will obviously have a lot of games across a long season, and Mainoo will still start games as Amorim rotates his squad.
But can Mainoo afford another season on the periphery of things if he wants to reach the top, top level?
𝐊𝐎𝐁𝐁𝐈𝐄 𝐌𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐎𝐎, 𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐀 𝐁𝐎𝐖 👏
THE YOUNGSTER STRIKES LATE TO MAKE IT 4-3 🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/wFeWXQWZu9
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When he first adorned a United first team shirt, Mainoo looked to have all the potential in the world, and he can still reach the kind of level that will earn him over 50 caps for England.
But in order to do so, the Stockport-born midfielder will need to start the vast majority of games under Amorim — something that currently looks increasingly unlikely.
And Sir Jim Ratcliffe sanctioning an ambitious move for Sesko, who might choose Old Trafford over St James’ Park, could indirectly cause Mainoo to eventually look for a new challenge.