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Kobbie Mainoo’s hopes of making England’s 2026 World Cup squad may compel him to force a mid-season move away from Manchester United.
With the situation as it is, Mainoo has little to no chance of being called up to represent his nation at what would be his first WC tournament, and the fact that he hasn’t played for the Three Lions since Thomas Tuchel took the reins only emphasises that unlikelihood.
Kobbie Mainoo: The state of play
So far this campaign, the 20-year-old has been facing an uphill battle to be restored to the starting XI, with Ruben Amorim claiming Mainoo is directly vying with his skipper Bruno Fernandes for a spot in the side.
As a result, the Carrington graduate has been utilised sparingly. He has yet to start a Premier League game and was an unused substitute for the first two matches of the term.
He came off the bench to replace the injured Mason Mount at the interval during United’s win over Burnley prior to the international break, but has since been granted 28 minutes to make an impact in the Manchester derby and just three minutes on the pitch in last week’s Chelsea clash.
Mainoo’s uncertain future to continue into the winter
Unsurprisingly, the Daily Star is now suggesting that the midfielder is ‘prepared to leave’ his boyhood club on loan as early as January.
He is desperate to play a prominent role elsewhere, having grown ‘frustrated’ with how his season has begun.
Mainoo also asked to leave in the closing stages of the summer window but saw his requests rebuffed by club chiefs, who informed him that he was expected to stay and fight for his place.
Yet, United playing only one game a week throughout 2025/2026 means there’s even fewer opportunities for Mainoo to stake his claim and work his way up the pecking order.
