Kobbie Mainoo is attracting plenty of headlines ahead of the January transfer window, with the midfielder playing a bit part role under Ruben Amorim at Manchester United.
The 2025/26 campaign is not going to plan for Kobbie Mainoo. The Manchester United midfielder has lost his place in the team and is not playing regularly enough to warrant a place in the England squad for the World Cup next summer.
That is a major step back for a player who previously scored in a triumphant FA Cup final for United as well as featured in a European Championships final for England.
Mainoo has time on his hands at the age of 20, but that has not stopped former United players advising him to leave for another club in the foreseeable future.
Rio Ferdinand says Kobbie Mainoo HAS to leave United
Is Rio right to be honest, or should he be keeping quiet about this?
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Ruben Amorim has opted for a midfield pairing of Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro this season, with Mainoo yet to start a match in the Premier League.
Mainoo will hope to start on Sunday when United take on Aston Villa, as Casemiro has been ruled out with suspension. He will be competing with Manuel Ugarte for a place in Amorim’s line-up.
Kobbie Mainoo playing against Bournemouth
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Kobbie Mainoo told he is not leaving Man Utd
Mainoo made his 12th appearance of the season on Monday night as United drew 4-4 with Bournemouth.
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The England international replaced Casemiro in the second half and played a total of 29 minutes.
United were heading for a record-breaking defeat against Bournemouth when Mainoo was brought on. He brought control to the United midfield to help the team get back into the game.
Despite putting in a good performance, the headlines focused on Mainoo’s brother, who wore a t-shirt that hinted at a transfer away from Old Trafford.
Now it has emerged that United told Mainoo before the match that he won’t be leaving the club when the transfer window opens in January.
“Over the weekend, it was told to Kobbie’s people again that he’s not leaving,” Dean Jones told the Ranks FC podcast.
“Which isn’t going to go down well because the geezer is not in the team. He’s not getting a look in. He’s asking for a transfer. They’re not giving it to him. He’s asking for a game.
“They’re not giving it to him. So his view is, why do you want me here? Why do you want me? You don’t use me.”
What do you think of Kobbie Mainoo’s brother wearing a ‘Free Kobbie Mainoo’ t-shirt at Old Trafford?
This is NOT going to help Kobbie Mainoo!
Kobbie Mainoo's brother Instagram
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Mainoo asked for a loan move in the summer, but he was kept because United are lacking options in the midfield department.
Kobbie Mainoo can benefit from AFCON
The Africa Cup of Nations begins on Sunday and it comes with selection headaches for Amorim.
United are losing Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui for the duration of the tournament.
This could result in more game time for Mainoo, with the head coach having fewer options to select from.
The AFCON players are not direct competition for Mainoo, but Amorim is expected to alter his approach in the coming weeks.
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