Much to Manchester United fans’ dismay, Kobbie Mainoo could again push to leave the club mid-season.
Indeed, the midfield starlet still faces a hugely uncertain future at Old Trafford after falling out of favour under Ruben Amorim.
When Mainoo was an unused substitute for the first two matches of the Premier League campaign, he requested a late summer exit in hopes of playing a more prominent role on loan elsewhere.
United rebuffed Kobbie Mainoo’s requests to explore alternative options in summer
However, United chiefs blocked any potential move, instead informing the 20-year-old that he was expected to stay and fight for his spot throughout the season.
Given there was only a week remaining of the European window at the time, Mainoo didn’t force or push any further to complete his desired switch.
That could well change in the winter, though, when he has a whole month to consider his options and reiterate his stance to United’s key decision-makers.
Mainoo could yet leave United when window reopens
The Carrington graduate has since featured in the last two league outings, but only as a substitute. He has totalled only 73 minutes of top-flight action thus far and, approaching a World Cup year, you couldn’t blame him for wanting out.
It’s expected Mainoo won’t be short of interest if he is made available or known to be scouring the market for suitors come January, which is pretty remarkable considering it seems Amorim doesn’t want him. After all, it’s not as if Amorim’s system is working without Mainoo being given chances from the off.
He played around half an hour in Sunday’s Manchester derby at the Etihad and recorded a 100 per cent passing rate, won 100 per cent of his three ground duels attempted and made two key passes. From his perspective, what more can he do?
“In January, if the situation continues like that, with Kobbie Mainoo staying on the bench, there’s a possibility Mainoo will ask again Manchester United to go,” said Fabrizio Romano on YouTube last night.
