Kobbie Mainoo’s situation at Manchester United remains fragile at the moment.
The English midfielder has struggled for game time this season, and his only start has come against Grimsby Town in the EFL Cup.
Mainoo was once considered the next big thing to come out of the club’s academy, but things have changed following the departure of Erik ten Hag.
The 20 year old was in and out of the first team under Ruben Amorim last season, but seems to have dropped further down the pecking order this year.
Interestingly, Mainoo was heavily linked with an exit from Old Trafford this summer, and reportedly wanted to leave on loan to secure regular football. While United turned down his request, speculation is ripe regarding the youngster’s next move.
Struggling to fit into Amorim’s midfield
Amorim has preferred to use Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro as his midfield pivot in the Premier League this season. Against Manchester City, the Portuguese head coach opted to pair Bruno with Manuel Ugarte, adding to Mainoo’s frustration.
Amorim has previously said that the Englishman is now fighting with Bruno for a place in the starting XI. As things stand, dislodging the United skipper from the team is next to impossible.
Recent reports have suggested that Mainoo could be allowed to leave at the turn of the year. And a former Red Devils great has now advised Leeds United to make a move for the young midfielder.
Daniel Farket tipped to get the best out of Mainoo
Mainoo was linked with a move to Elland Road in the summer, but the transfer never materialised.
Ex-United striker Teddy Sheringham was recently asked by The Yorkshire Post if the Whites should target the young midfielder, and he responded: “Yes – without a doubt. Not even six months ago, he was in the England set-up and people were raving about him. He can’t be that bad a player.”
“He just needs to get someone who loves the way he plays. This game is all about opinions, and just because Amorim doesn’t fancy him, it doesn’t mean to say [Daniel] Farke won’t and get the best out of him.
“Put an arm around him and tell him how good he is, team him up with someone in midfield who accommodates him and all of a sudden, you’ve got a player back on your hands. If Leeds could get someone like that on loan, it would definitely be a plus point.”
A move to one of United’s rivals would be an explosive twist for an Academy graduate – and it’s rather striking it’s one of the club’s former stars pushing for it to happen.
Mainoo is under contract with United until 2027 and has appeared 76 times for the Red Devils to date.
Featured image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images
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Deepungsu Pandit
Deepungsu has been a Manchester United fan since 2000. In his playing days, he was an attacking midfielder with a proclivity for the back heel. Right now, however, he prefers to operate as a regista. Deepungsu has been writing about the Red Devils, Football, and other things since 2009. His favourite Manchester United player is Paul Scholes.
