United in danger of losing Kobbie Mainoo to 6-time Champions League winners in January – report

Kobbie Mainoo’s situation at Manchester United is far from ideal at the moment. The English midfielder is yet to start a game in the Premier League this season and remains heavily linked with an exit from the Theatre of Dreams in 2026. It is a shocking turnaround in the career of a youngster once tipped to become the face of the Red Devils. Mainoo rose through the ranks at Old Trafford with aplomb and made his highly anticipated break into the senior side under Erik ten Hag. Such was his impact that the player swiftly became a first-team regular under the Dutchman, starting – and starring – in the 2-1 win over Manchester City in the 2023/24 FA Cup final. He subsequently started the Euro 2024 final against Spain, which England unfortunately lost. Mainoo was expected to become the backbone of the Red Devils’ resurgence, before everything fell apart last campaign. The arrival of Ruben Amorim marked the start of a dark chapter in the Englishman’s career. A peripheral figure this season Mainoo was in and out of the first team last season, but things have gone from bad to worse this campaign. Amorim has deployed Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro as his midfield pivot so far, relegating the Englishman to the bench. Mainoo’s only start this campaign came in the disastrous EFL Cup second-round defeat to Grimsby Town. He has clocked just 171 minutes of Premier League action out of a possible 1260. Kobbie Mainoo Stats: 2025/26 Season CompetitionAppearancesGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed CardsMinutes Played Premier League9—-171′ EFL Cup1-1–90′ Total10-1–261′ Source: Transfermarkt.The 20 year old is understandably frustrated by the situation, and speculation is rife about his future. Things, however, could go from bad to worse, with United already linked with further midfield reinforcements in 2026. A recent report relayed by The Peoples Person states that as many as 12 clubs are hot on the Englishman’s heels, looking to secure his signature on loan in January. However, it now appears that one suitor is willing to sign the player permanently at the turn of the year. Bayern want Mainoo According to TEAMtalk, Bayern Munich are in talks with Mainoo’s representatives over a permanent move in January. “Kobbie Mainoo’s Manchester United nightmare shows no signs of abating, with the 20-year-old England midfielder now the subject of intense interest from Bayern Munich.” “Sources confirm the Bundesliga giants have held direct discussions with Mainoo’s representatives, signalling their strong intent to secure a permanent deal in January.” “Bayern feel “confident” the prodigy would be receptive to a move to the Allianz Arena, where he could reunite with national team captain Harry Kane and thrive under Vincent Kompany’s progressive system.” “Sources add that Mainoo is enticed by an overseas switch, viewing Germany as an ideal launchpad for consistent starts and Champions League action.” However, the report adds that Mainoo would prefer to remain in the Premier League amid interest from Manchester City, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur. Amorim, though, is adamant that an exit will only be sanctioned provided the Red Devils can secure a replacement. “Amorim’s ultimatum stands firm: no exit without a replacement. United have eyed Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson to maintain midfield balance.” “A Bayern bid, potentially £50million (€57m / $67m) given Mainoo’s £80m (€91.5m / $106.5m) valuation, could force the issue – unlocking funds for Amorim’s rebuild.” Final Thoughts Mainoo’s situation hardly paints a pretty picture for a club that has built its success on the backbone of youth. It is unfortunate that Amorim cannot accommodate the talented Englishman in his setup, although there may be more to the story than meets the eye. Nevertheless, if the situation does not improve, perhaps it is in the best interests of all parties that the youngster moves on to greener pastures. Featured image Jan Kruger via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social 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. He has worked for over seven years with Sportskeeda, writing football reviews, opinions and news articles. Deepungsu also maintains a blog, The Thinking Me, where he writes about life and things that interest him. His favourite Manchester United player is Paul Scholes.