As Manchester United plummet to new depths with a Carabao Cup second round defeat to Grimsby, the mood at Old Trafford may not improve in the coming days.
With just four days left of the transfer window, Manchester United must try and identify any players who can strengthen their lopsided squad, and offload a number of players deemed surplus to requirements.
Jadon Sancho, Antony and Alejandro Garnacho are among the names allowed to leave and not part of Ruben Amorim’s plans. There is also intense speculation over the future of academy midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who could still leave Old Trafford.
Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United in the rain during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Grimsby Town and Manchester United at Blundell Park
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Mainoo started the Grimsby defeat having been left as an unused substitute in United’s opening two games of the season – prompting the suggestions he may seek a late exit this summer.
Rio Ferdinand offers advice to Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, ‘start dominating them’
Reflecting on Mainoo’s odd situation under Amorim this season, former United defender Rio Ferdinand offered some advice to the youngster to force his way into the team.
Speaking on his Rio Presents podcast, Ferdinand said: “What do I do? Well, the first thing you do is go to the manager and go, what ain’t I doing that I need to be doing to get in this team?
“Right. He’s going to tell me. Then I go to work on a training pitch. Every day I go to work. I play up against whoever Bruno [Fernandes] etc. and I start dominating them.”
Ferdinand’s advice was aimed at Mainoo restoring his place in the United team, particularly with an obvious gap in the midfield to link defence and attack.
Rio Ferdinand urges Kobbie Mainoo to earn his Manchester United chance amid transfer speculation
Ferdinand said Mainoo’s current frustrations will come from not being given the chance to show Amorim how he can fit into his plans at United.
Kobbie Mainoo during pre-season for Manchester United.
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
But rather than seek an exit, Ferdinand believes Mainoo must do everything he can to earn that chance on the training ground.
Ferdinand said: “That’s the type of mentality and mindset he has to go with [dominating teammates in training]. And then when the chance comes to play, take it with both hands.
“Now his argument right now will be I’m not getting the chance to take it. And that’s a fair argument. But what I would say is do not let the chance come and you’re not ready. So train hard, be focused.”