The latest Manchester United transfer news and views amid speculation around Kobbie Mainoo's future.
Mainoo warming up for Man Utd.
Kobbie Mainoo has been sent a clear message by Rio Ferdinand. (Image: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Rio Ferdinand has urged Kobbie Mainoo to stay put and fight for his place at Manchester United - amid ongoing speculation around the midfielder's future.
With one eye on the impending transfer deadline, Mainoo - who played his first minutes for United this season in their horror show at Grimsby Town on Wednesday night - had outlined his wish to leave on loan. However, as per The Manchester Evening News, the club will plan to resist that request.
It means, for the time being, Mainoo will remain at Old Trafford. The 20-year-old currently finds himself down the midfield pecking order under head coach Ruben Amorim.
Given his meteoric rise at Old Trafford previously, the Mainoo situation has drawn widespread attention, both at United and beyond, with Ferdinand having his say in a social media video sent to his X followers.
In that, the former United star said: "David Ornstein was saying that Kobbie Mainoo is open to leaving, which is... I don't want to hear that. Kobbie, if you're watching, if you're hearing, [or] people that are next to him...
"Don't let me hear that. Please man. I need you stay at the club, be patient.
"Please. I know it's difficult and it's easy for me to say. I want to see you here.
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"If we were sitting here going; 'Do you know what? After his exploits with England that Kobbie Mainoo can't get into the Man Utd 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, and not this soon after his exploits with England, and how good he was, and how much we were all waxing lyrical about him."
Mainoo, who progressed through the famed United academy, has already made 73 appearances at senior level - scoring seven goals with three assists. The midfielder has also been capped 10 times by England, although he has been omitted from their latest squad for September's international break.
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