Ciaran Morrison
Sat 13 December 2025 9:00, UK
Man United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo could make a move to Chelsea amid the need for more game time.
That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who has heard “whispers” that Mainoo could join Chelsea.
Man United have no plans to let Mainoo leave Old Trafford despite the 20-year-old having made just one start in all competitions this season.
Napoli and Bayern Munich are interested in January moves for Mainoo, who is still seen as one of Man United‘s best young talents.
Kobbie Mainoo a ‘squandered talent’
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes Chelsea could make a move for Mainoo.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness states that Mainoo needs to leave Man United.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I think it’s very unfair and I think that Mainoo, look, he’s a squandered talent in that sense. I just don’t think he’s, for some reason, he hasn’t caught [Ruben] Amorim’s eye. He thinks he doesn’t fit the style.
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“I think that they decided that Adam Wharton is going to be one of their targets and I think that Mainoo may find himself reinventing himself at Chelsea.
“That’s where I see the situation going and that’s the whispers I’ve been hearing. I think it would be good for Mainoo. I think he needs to get out of there and move forward.”
Kobbie Mainoo looking focused for Man United
Credit: Imago
Mainoo contract talks stall
Man United’s contract talks with Mainoo have stalled amid the uncertainty surrounding his future at the club.
Mainoo’s current deal expires in 2027, with Man United holding an option to extend that by a year if they want to.
The midfielder broke into the first-team in 2023 under Erik ten Hag, but current boss Ruben Amorim does not hold the same faith in the youngster.