Manchester United and INEOS are now reportedly stalling on a new contract for Kobbie Mainoo, as doubts over his Old Trafford future continue.
Mainoo's fall from grace has been sad to see of late, considering the midfielder emerged has one of the most emerging youth products in years with the Red Devils, even starting for England at Euro 2024 last year.
The 20-year-old has been limited to just 138 minutes of Premier League action across seven cameo appearances this season, with Ruben Amorim not considering him a key man.
Kobbie Mainoo
It remains to be seen what will happen with Mainoo, but journalist Simon Stone gave his thoughts earlier this week, suggesting his time at Old Trafford may still have legs.
"My personal view is that Mainoo excelled in a poor team two seasons ago, and it was enough to get him into an England squad where he had Declan Rice to guide him around the pitch. The brutal reality is that Mainoo has weaknesses in his game positionally that he needs to work on.
"That is not unusual - he is only 20, don't forget.One of the midfield positions is taken up by a player who has won everything at club level in Casemiro, the other by captain Bruno Fernandes. Then Amorim spent big on Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. I think Mainoo has a future under Amorim but it might not be this season."
Mainoo contract talks stall with transfer ruled out
Now, speaking to Football Insider, journalist Pete O'Rourke provided an update on Mainoo's Manchester United future, claiming talks over a new deal have stalled with INEOS, but that they won't let him leave.
"I’m sure it’s (handing Mainoo a new contract) something that Man United would definitely be interested in doing. They’ve been in talks with Mainoo for a while now over a new contract. Suggestions are now that contract talks have been put on hold because of his uncertain future at Old Trafford.
Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo
"We know Mainoo was interested in a move away in the summer window as he knew he wasn’t going to be playing in Ruben Amorim’s side. I don’t think he’s started a Premier League game so far this season.
"For United, on their part, they don’t really want to lose Kobbie Mainoo, and that’s why they blocked the move in the summer window and obviously I think they’d be reluctant to let him go in January as well because United want to be competing in that top four, if they can."
To lose Mainoo so early in his career would be a negative for United, given his vast potential, so the hope is that Amorim and INEOS' stance on him changes.
Granted, he has endured a year of struggles, not helped by injury problems, but he is a special young footballer with the natural ability to be a star, as he has already shown in his career.
AFC Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo in action with Manchester City's Matheus Nunes Related
Antoine Semenyo chooses between Man Utd and Liverpool
What a signing this could be...
Hopefully, a contract extension is agreed, but ultimately, if the manager and the club don't value Mainoo enough, a move away could be best for everyone, sad as it would be.
49ers keen on signing Man Utd star Kobbie Mainoo for Leeds