David Tully Aug 27th 2025
There has been plenty if speculation in recent days about the future of Man United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo.
The England international is said to be unhappy with his playing time, and it has subsequently emerged that the Red Devils won’t stand in his way if he wants to leave before the transfer window closes on Monday.
So, how have we got to this point where one of the club’s most promising young talents could be sold? Read below the 5 reasons why Mainoo could depart Old Trafford:
1) Mainoo does not want to sign a new contract
The midfielder has less than two years left on his current deal, and it is believed that he has no intention of signing an extension if he doesn’t get more game time.
Mainoo has not played a single minute in United’s first two league games, although he is expected to start against Grimsby Town on Wednesday night.
The 20-year-old’s value is beginning to depreciate, and there are already suggestions he could be let go for £45m.
When Chelsea made enquiries back in January, they were quoted a figure of around £70m.
2) He is homegrown and his sale would be classed as ‘pure profit’
The Red Devils have not been able to raise a lot of money through sales in recent transfer windows.
Although they have spent £200m+ on a new forward line this summer, the club’s failure to increase their transfer budget by selling unwanted players has caused issues. They cannot afford to sign Brighton’s Carlos Baleba or a ready-made first-choice keeper
Selling Mainoo, who has been developed by the club’s academy, would free up much-needed funds.
In terms of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules, his departure would be classed as pure profit on the balance sheet.
David Tully
David has worked as a football reporter for the last fifteen years. Having started as an intern at Snack Media, he then went on to become a freelancer, working on various different sites. At the start of 2023, he took up his current role as content writer for National World’s Football News Network.
