Rio Ferdinand has wasted no time sending a direct message to Kobbie Mainoo after it emerged that the Manchester United and England midfielder wants to leave Old Trafford.
David Ornstein on Thursday reported for The Athletic the bombshell news that Kobbie Mainoo had expressed his desire to find a loan move away from the club.
The 20-year-old Stockport-born midfielder held a meeting with Manchester United on Thursday and Mainoo is on the hunt for regular first-team football this season.
It is believed that Mainoo wants to remain at United for the long term, but the England international feels that a loan move would benefit him this summer.
Mainoo’s future at United has been plunged into doubt in recent weeks after the Red Devils youth academy product lost his place in the starting XI under Ruben Amorim.
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Kobbie Mainoo in action during a first-team Manchester United training session at the Carrington training complex in 2025 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Man Utd legend Rio Ferdinand makes his feelings clear with a message to Kobbie Mainoo after the latest transfer development
According to BBC Sport, Manchester United have shut down Kobbie Mainoo’s loan transfer request and the Red Devils are keen to keep hold of the England star.
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It has been reported that United want Mainoo to fight for his place in the Red Devils first-team squad for the 2025-26 Premier League campaign at Old Trafford.
Mainoo was left on the bench for United’s opening Premier League defeat to Arsenal at Old Trafford and the 1-1 draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage last weekend.
Rio Ferdinand has now sent out a desperate plea for Mainoo to make a U-turn on his transfer stance and wants him to remain at Old Trafford for the current season.
“David Ornstein was saying that Kobbie Mainoo is open to leaving, which is… I don’t want to hear that,” he said on Rio Ferdinand Presents, as posted on social media platform X.
“So, Kobbie, if you’re watching this, if you’re hearing, if people that are next to him, please don’t let me hear that. Please, man. I need you to stay at the club.
“Be patient. Please, I know it’s difficult. It’s easy for me to say, but I want to see you here.”
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Rio Ferdinand talks up Kobbie Mainoo’s impact with England amid the Man Utd star’s desire to leave Old Trafford
According to reports, Mainoo feels that a loan move would allow him to keep playing football and to remain in contention for the England squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Mainoo’s breakout campaign under former United manager Erik ten Hag earned him widespread praise, including leading to his call-up to the England national team.
United legend Ferdinand admitted that it is baffling the trajectory of Mainoo’s club career at the Red Devils after “his exploits” with England on the international stage.
Speaking on Mainoo, he continued: “If we were sitting here going, you know what?
“After his exploits with England, that we’d be sitting here going, ‘Kobbie Mainoo can’t get in the Man United team and they’re thinking about selling him. And he wants to go.’
“I wouldn’t have been able to, you couldn’t have bet me any money that’d be happening right now.
“This soon after his exploits with England and how good he was and how much we were waxing lyrical about him.”
Mainoo has lifted an FA Cup during Erik ten Hag’s United managerial reign and the Stockport-born talent is under contract with the Premier League club until 2027.