A little more clarity may be coming to the Kobbie Mainoo situation.
Kobbie Mainoo returned to the Manchester United line-up to face Grimsby Town, playing his first minutes of the season.
Mainoo was left out of both Premier League games, and he quite clearly fears a return to the bench when United host Burnley at the weekend.
The midfield wonderkid was one of United’s best players against Grimsby, providing an assist for Bryan Mbeumo’s goal, but it was a miserable night with the Red Devils eliminated on penalties.
Leading into the game there was speculation about Mainoo’s future, after his quiet start to the season.
Kobbie Mainoo raises his arm after scoring
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Kobbie Mainoo keen on loan
Kobbie Mainoo wants to play football, especially as he wants to secure a place in England’s World Cup 2026 squad.
Clearly this is in jeopardy if Ruben Amorim persists to overlook him as a Premier League starter.
According to David Ornstein in The Athletic, Kobbie Mainoo has informed Manchester United of his desire to leave on loan.
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Mainoo does not wish to leave Manchester United permanently, it is claimed, and wishes for a temporary switch.
However, Manchester United have already responded by telling Mainoo they expect him to stay and fight for his place at the club, and will not agree a loan exit.
This is the right call. A loan move does little for Manchester United other than to placate Mainoo temporarily.
Real Madrid have recently been mentioned among the clubs interested in Mainoo, according to the Daily Mail,
Manchester United need Kobbie Mainoo
Manchester United have four midfield options, and while Kobbie Mainoo is currently fourth choice, he has the best all-around game.
Casemiro is not as comfortable on the ball as Mainoo, and nor is Manuel Ugarte, who has struggled in almost every appearance over the past month.
Bruno Fernandes has his strengths, but faces a challenge to fully adapt to the position, vacating the number 10 role for new arrivals Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.
One of the reasons Mainoo has been left out is out of concern whether he can partner Fernandes effectively.
United are right to tell him to fight for his place. With Fernandes and Casemiro in their 30s, Mainoo is the future, who the club need to build around.