Kobbie Mainoo broke through into Manchester United's first team two years ago, but the midfielder now faces the biggest challenge of his fledgling career with just one start this season
Kobbie Mainoo has struggled for game time at Manchester United this season
Kobbie Mainoo has struggled for game time at Manchester United this season
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Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo finds himself at a career crossroads, with the next two transfer windows potentially being pivotal for him. The 20-year-old midfielder experienced a meteoric rise at Old Trafford after breaking into the first team a few years ago, but his career has now stalled.
Despite an injury-ravaged start to the 2023/24 season, Mainoo managed to secure a spot in the starting line-up under Erik ten Hag, making 24 Premier League appearances that campaign, most of them as a starter.
Injuries once again marred his progress last season, but he still clocked up over 30 appearances across all competitions, even amidst a mid-season managerial change when Ruben Amorim took over from Ten Hag. However, after rumours of a potential move away surfaced towards the end of the summer transfer window, this season has taken a different turn for the England international.
So far this season, Mainoo has only started one match, a Carabao Cup second-round tie against Grimsby Town at the end of August - a match that Amorim's side lost on penalties following a 2-2 draw in regular time.
Mainoo has made appearances in nine out of United's 14 Premier League matches so far, but all have been as a substitute. Most recently, he was an unused substitute in the 1-1 draw at home against West Ham on Thursday evening.
Following Mainoo's latest snub against the Hammers, a furious Paul Scholes took to Instagram to vent his frustration at the Reds head coach. "Bulls***," Scholes posted in response to Amorim, who said last week he views Mainoo as a starter.
"The kid is being ruined, not being played in a team that can't control a game of football. Hate seeing homegrown players leave, but it's probably best for him now, enough is enough."
Kobbie Mainoo
Mainoo has endured a difficult season so far and hasn't started a single Premier League match yet
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Only four senior members of United's squad have yet to make a Premier League start this season. Tom Heaton, Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez and, most worryingly, Mainoo.
For most on that list, warming the bench is neither unexpected nor alarming. Heaton is third in line for the goalkeeper spot, Malacia was rumoured to be leaving in the summer and was part of the so-called 'bomb squad' with the likes of Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford as they sought transfers, while Martinez has only recently returned from nearly a year out due to a knee injury.
For Mainoo, there's no such justification. So, it's hardly surprising that whispers of a transfer are resurfacing as the January window looms. Mainoo was linked with Napoli in the summer, where his teammate Rasmus Hojlund was loaned out during the same period.
The harsh truth for Mainoo is that his current situation at United seems unlikely to change in the near future, with Amorim simply favouring other players. The club also continues to be associated with potential midfield reinforcements after a move for Brighton's Carlos Baleba fell through in the summer, which would further relegate Mainoo down the pecking order.
Ruben Amorim
Mainoo's career has stalled since Ruben Amorim came in with the United boss favouring other players
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In a World Cup year, time is running short, and Mainoo is fast losing chances to work his way back into Thomas Tuchel's thinking. Following his maiden senior England call-up in the spring last year, the midfielder hasn't featured in a Three Lions squad throughout this calendar year.
The England manager was questioned about Mainoo's prospects earlier this season, but predictably pointed to insufficient playing time as the main factor behind his recent exclusions. "He's lacking minutes," Tuchel revealed during a press conference.
"I don't think he lacks anything else. He has the experience, the power, the quality, the talent to be on our list - he is on our list - but in his position No6, No8, No10 we have players in full rhythm and play key parts in their clubs."
Following such a promising start to his United career, it's disappointing that yet another academy product from the club might need to depart to revive his trajectory. While still relatively youthful, Mainoo clearly faces a crucial choice regarding his future in the coming weeks, as he simply cannot continue being sidelined and disregarded.
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