The journalist has some news for Manchester United supporters. (Photo via The Athletic)
Kobbie Mainoo is open to leaving Manchester United in the final days of the transfer window.
That’s according to David Ornstein, who confirmed in this morning’s Transfer DealSheet that the midfielder has opened the door to a potential Old Trafford exit.
It comes after Mainoo spent United’s first two games of the campaign watching on from the substitutes’ bench without being granted a single minute of action by Ruben Amorim.
Why Kobbie Mainoo is considering a premature Old Trafford departure
Alas, it’s become clear that Mainoo ranks considerably lower in the coach’s estimations than he did with Erik ten Hag. Of the 44 appearances he made under the Dutchman, 38 came from the off, while 15 of the 28 appearances he’s made since Amorim took the reins last November were as a starter.
Towards the end of last season, the 20-year-old had a game-changing impact off the bench in extra time of United’s Europa League quarter-final tie at home to Olympique Lyonnais. Mainoo netted an equaliser in the 120th minute before Harry Maguire clinched the victory, and the side’s progression to the semis, just 60 seconds later.
Yet, Mainoo would go on to play only 15 minutes across both semi-final legs and just a single minute in the final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
Where could Mainoo end up before the deadline?
What may turn out to be a saving grace for the United faithful, who are highly unwilling to see the board sanction the sale of their academy graduate, is that there are few options available to him at this stage of the window.
While not verified by Ornstein, it was claimed earlier in the summer that Tottenham Hotspur had reached out to United to gauge the feasibility of signing Mainoo before deadline day. Chelsea are also thought to be long-term admirers, though nothing has materialised with either of the London clubs.
