Kobbie Mainoo’s situation is already dominating the headlines ahead of the January transfer window.
Ruben Amorim has not selected Kobbie Mainoo to start a single Premier League game in 2025/26, prompting major debate over the midfielder’s future.
Kobbie Mainoo playing against Bournemouth
Photo by PETER POWELL / AFP via Getty Images
Mainoo’s brother wore a ‘Free Kobbie Mainoo‘ T-Shirt to Old Trafford during the Bournemouth game, and was subsequently slammed by fans – and even by Roy Keane.
But this has only added to the noise surrounding Mainoo’s situation.
Keane rejects suggestions from Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand who urge the midfielder to leave, urging Mainoo to get his head down and fight for his place.
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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Kobbie Mainoo transfer latest
United will certainly receive interest from Kobbie Mainoo in the January transfer window, with teams eyeing a rare chance to sign a special talent.
Mainoo also has an eye on landing a spot in England’s World Cup squad. He is fighting an uphill battle after missing out on all three international squads in the first half of this season.
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According to Sky Sports, Manchester United will only consider ‘exceptional’ offers for Kobbie Mainoo in January.
This means that a loan move does not appeal to United, even with his wages being covered.
United would need to buy a replacement, and none of the club’s top midfield transfer targets are expected to be available in January.
Sky add that there is ‘widespread desire’ internally at Manchester United for Mainoo to stay put at Old Trafford.
Push comes to shove: Would you rather have Kobbie Mainoo stay at Man Utd or Ruben Amorim?
Kobbie Mainoo and Ruben Amorim split
Credit: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
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Kobbie Mainoo’s three best games since FA Cup Final heroics
Kobbie Mainoo’s breakthrough season in 2023/24 was absolutely incredible. He scored memorable goals against Wolves and Liverpool, before capping it off with a winner against Manchester City in the FA Cup Final.
He even went on to help England reach the Euro 2024 Final.
However, it has not been smooth sailing since, partly due to a lack of rest since that season, that led to injuries hampering him at the start of the next campaign.
Erik ten Hag was soon fired and replaced with Ruben Amorim, and the midfielder has found it tough going ever since.
United lost all four league games where Mainoo played 90 minutes under Amorim last season, and has lost the manager’s trust.
THIS is what Kobbie Mainoo is capable of! ⭐
We need this version of Kobbie Mainoo back ASAP
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The simple fact is that Mainoo has not had a lot of strong performances since the FA Cup Final, a vicious circle now leading to a lack of opportunities to try and correct this.
Below we have picked out the midfielder’s three best games during the 18 months since…
Man Utd 4-0 Everton
We referenced the four defeats the four times Mainoo played 90 minutes in the league. All of these came when Mainoo partnered Manuel Ugarte.
One near-exception came when Mainoo played 80 minutes in the 4-0 victory over Sean Dyche’s Everton, and in this game he partnered Casemiro.
Mainoo completed 94 per cent of his passes in the win, and landing his only shot on target, as United dominated a game that remains Amorim’s biggest victory as Red Devils’ head coach.
FCSB 0-2 Man Utd
Kobbie Mainoo’s best all-round game under Ruben Amorim, this was the one time Mainoo played 90 minutes under the head coach, and the team won.
Mainoo played in an advanced role in Romania, and we hoped it could be the start of a new approach, but it is one that has barely been repeated.
The youngster created one goal and scored another as United cruised to an impressive away victory, as the only team to go unbeaten in the Europa League group stage.
Kobbie Mainoo celebrates goal vs Lyon
Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images
Man Utd 5-4 Lyon
The most spectacular game of the 2024/25 season saw Kobbie Mainoo come off the bench and help inspire a dramatic win.
Mainoo came on in the 87th minute with the score tied at 2-2. Extra-time beckoned and United disastrously fell 4-2 down.
Amorim’s side then mounted an incredible comeback amid the roar of the Old Trafford crowd, with Mainoo scoring a stunning equaliser to make it 4-4.
Mainoo’s curling strike looked to have sent the game to penalties, before Harry Maguire popped up with a stoppage time winner, a 5-4 win and 7-6 on aggregate.
It was total chaos, and Mainoo’s impact played a positive part.
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