Former Manchester United attacker Lee Sharpe has urged the Red Devils to keep hold of Kobbie Mainoo amid the speculation surrounding the academy product's future at Old Trafford.
Mainoo played the full 90 minutes of Wednesday's EFL Cup second-round fixture with Grimsby Town, but he was an unused substitute in the team's opening two matches of the 2025-26 Premier League campaign against Arsenal and Fulham.
There is currently widespread speculation surrounding the 20-year-old's future, with Man United believed to be willing to let him leave for the right price in the latter stages of the transfer window.
Mainoo's valuation is thought to be £45m, with Brighton & Hove Albion among those linked, while Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich are also said to be keen.
It is understood that the England international would rather move abroad if he was to leave Old Trafford.
However, Sharpe, who played 263 times for Man United between 1988 and 1996, winning three Premier League titles in the process, has urged the club to keep hold of the youngster.
Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo on August 27, 2025
Mainoo's Man United future is currently in severe doubt
The 54-year-old has branded Mainoo "a top young player" and said that he must be "part of the future of Man United".
"100% yes (he must stay at Man United). I like him a lot, he is a top young player. I would play him ahead of Bruno [Fernandes] in that holding midfield position. He is still very young, but great ability. I like Mainoo a lot, I don’t want to see him leave. He should be part of the future of Man United," Sharpe told Sports Mole.
Mainoo was in action for Man United against Grimsby on Wednesday night, playing the full 90 minutes, and he was on the scoresheet in the resulting penalty shootout, which the League Two side won 12-11.
However, the Englishman is expected to be back on the bench against Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, as Man United look to win their first game of the season.
Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo on May 4, 2025
Will Mainoo leave Man United before the summer transfer deadline?
When Mainoo first broke into the Man United first team, he was regarded as the future of the Red Devils, making 32 appearances in 2023-24 before featuring a further 37 times in 2024-25.
There is no question that Mainoo's career has stalled, but Amorim's 3-4-3 system does not suit him, with the Englishman's best work coming in a midfield three where he has a defensive player and an offensive player alongside him.
It would send out complete the wrong message if Man United were to move the youngster on this summer, as there simply has to be a spot in the squad and indeed the team for a player of his ilk.
Amorim clearly does not see Mainoo as part of his first XI at this stage, but the Englishman will not be 21 until next April, and he has the potential to be a long-term solution to a problematic position at Old Trafford.
Lee Sharpe was speaking to Sports Mole on behalf of William Hill.
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