Manchester United felt they were turning a page this summer, refashioning their frontline under INEOS' guidance and gearing up to free themselves of some flotsam that has clogged up the squad for too long.
But, with days left until the market slams shut, there is concern that the Red Devils still have a mountain to climb under Ruben Amorim's wing, having been dumped out of the Carabao Cup in unceremonious fashion by fourth-tier side Grimsby Town.
Ruben-Amorim-Man-Utd
But the window is still open for the next few days, and while United remains intent on ending their interminable goalkeeping woes, INEOS remain hopeful that they might add to the club's midfield ranks.
The latest on Man United's midfield search
This summer, Man United have made it known that they wish to sign a midfielder, with efforts for Brighton's Carlos Baleba and Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton, both up-and-comers valued in the £100m ballpark.
However, neither has come to fruition, which has left Kobbie Mainoo's hopes of leaving on loan extinguished. Although Amorim does not favour the young England international, letting him leave would snip at the already slight depth in the engine room.
But things could get a whole lot worse.
As per Caught Offside, United skipper Bruno Fernandes is still considering an exit from Old Trafford, having rejected a lucrative offer to join Al Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League earlier this summer.
The 30-year-old playmaker felt that jumping ship wouldn't have been right at the time, but his latent desire to leave is still there, and while Saudi interest hasn't gone away, growing curiosity from the MLS has factored in too.
bruno-fernandes-manchester-united-fulham
While this would be a catastrophic blow (or feel like one, at the least), it might end up being a positive on an individual note for a young star such as Mainoo.
Why Fernandes leaving would be good for Mainoo
Amorim's decision to field a 3-4-3 and stick to it, for better or for worse, effectively means that Man United operate with two central midfielders. Fernandes has been chosen for half of that role, alongside a more defence-minded partner.
This has limited Mainoo to the periphery, and with Carabao Cup football off the cards and the Red Devils away from European football anyway, it's clear that the 20-year-old is set for a season of bit-part football.
Mainoo-Man-Utd-Amorim
Fernandes' departure would change that, and perhaps allow him to spread his wings and showcase his quality as a starting member of a struggling system, maybe even stepping up and demonstrating prodigious talismanic potential.
Last season was one of frustration for Mainoo, no doubt, but he was immense when bursting onto the scene in 2023/24, with Paul Scholes even remarking that watching the multi-faceted midfielder is like "poetry in motion".
Mainoo's PL record
Stats (* per game)
Matches (starts)
Goals
Assists
Touches*
Pass completion
Big chances created
Key passes*
Dribbles*
Ball recoveries*
Tackles + interceptions*
Duels (won)*
Data via Sofascore
Curiously, Mainoo showcased an uptick in his creative levels last season, even though he struggled to carry the same giddy form from his breakout season into Amorim's early setup at the Theatre of Dreams.
In that sense, maybe he could indeed step into Fernandes' boots, bringing a progressive style that stems from his athleticism, physicality and technical quality all.
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Mainoo, to be sure, is not an "absolute magician" on the ball like Fernandes is, as described by writer Liam Canning, but he's got what it takes to become a high-level number eight in the middle of the field, keeping intact that homegrown identity that is woven so deeply into the very fabric of Manchester United.
Fernandes is no spring chicken anymore, and although losing his services would be a detrimental strike against the club's hopes of progress, Mainoo might view it as the perfect chance to step up and prove his worth.