Manchester United’s turbulent start to the season continues as Kobbie Mainoo has asked to leave the club on loan.
Unhappy with game time
Kobbie Mainoo was the golden boy of the 2023-2024 season, scoring a winning goal in the FA Cup final against Manchester City.
Nonetheless, he has found game time harder to come by at Old Trafford since Ruben Amorim became manager and there have been persistent rumours around his future.
Chelsea were said to be interested in the player in the winter and there have been reports that United would consider selling the England international for as little as £45 million.
There were claims that Mainoo was set to have a meeting with the club over his future, even after playing all of the cup defeat to Grimsby Town yesterday.
Mainoo asks for loan
Ultra-reliable reporter David Ornstein has reported that “Kobbie Mainoo has informed Manchester United of his desire to leave on loan before the transfer window closes to play regular first-team football.”
The article states that “Mainoo told United at a meeting on Thursday that while he has no intention of severing ties with his boyhood club, the 20-year-old midfielder believes his current situation does not provide the opportunity to develop his football career.”
It is understood that his decision is largely due to this being a World Cup year where he will want as much action as possible to consolidate a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.
United have firm answer
The Red Devils have made their stance clear to Mainoo that they “will not sanction a loan” and that they still “value the academy graduate.”
What’s more, Ornstein also reports that the clubs expects him “to stay and fight for his place.”
Journalist Ben Jacobs has also added that “Al-Nassr have approached Mainoo about a loan to Saudi in the past 24 hours and that several European clubs are also on alert to a late-window opportunity.”
🚨 Manchester United have rejected Kobbie Mainoo’s request to go out loan. Mainoo has been informed no loan is possible, and that he remains valued at the club.
Understand Al-Nassr approached Mainoo about a loan to Saudi in the past 24 hours. Several European clubs also alert to… pic.twitter.com/kXeQerDo2u
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) August 28, 2025
United fans will be worried that such a popular academy graduate has felt that the need to take the drastic steps to ask for a loan move. Especially in the context of Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte all struggling to stamp their authority on the midfield positions.
Featured image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images
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Alex Browne
Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Proud owner of such niche shirts such as Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Gary Neville. Grew up pretending to be Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the back garden, with little success.
