Kobbie Mainoo came desperately close to leaving Manchester United in the summer.
The academy graduate leaving his boyhood club seemed almost impossible when he first broke through under Erik ten Hag.
He became an instant starter, played a starring role in the club’s FA Cup win, while also excelling for England during the European Championships.
But his fortunes have dwindled since Ruben Amorim walked through the doors, culminating in the Englishman failing to start in single Premier League game this season.
Kobbie Mainoo struggles under Amorim
The head coach has suggested that the 20-year-old is competing with Bruno Fernandes for a starting spot, which explains his absence.
However, there is a clear void in the defensive midfield position, given Casemiro’s ageing legs and Manuel Ugarte’s struggles since his arrival.
Yet, Amorim does not seem to trust the England international for that position, which prompted Kobbie Mainoo to ask INEOS to let him leave on loan during the summer window.
INEOS rejected the claim, and asked him to train harder to win back the head coach’s trust, but till now, there has been no upturn in fortunes.
Now, as per The Daily Star, the Carrington graduate is prepared to seek a loan exit in January in a bid to keep his dreams of making the Three Lions squad for next year’s World Cup intact.
“Kobbie Mainoo is still prepared to leave hometown club Manchester United – in a bid to keep his World Cup dream alive. And this could see him seal a loan move in the next transfer window, if his fortunes do not improve at Old Trafford.
January exit on the cards?
“Mainoo has become a frustrated figure at United, after struggling to get regular starts under boss Ruben Amorim. The midfielder has seen his career go backwards in the last 12 months.
“Mainoo tried to leave United in the summer transfer window, but club bosses rejected his pleas for a loan move.
“He accepted the decision and has worked hard to get himself back in favour with Amorim. But despite United’s poor start to the new campaign, Mainoo has discovered that little has changed.”
Whether he can turn his fortunes around between now and January will be interesting to see. Fans will be distraught should their favourite leave. Amorim already has plans to sign a midfielder in January with Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton among the targets.
Should either of them be signed, it might just necessitate Mainoo’s exit. And it might mean that the player’s ultimate future lies away from Old Trafford, at least until the Portuguese tactician remains at the helm. Amorim will be the ultimate judge.
Feature image Michael Regan via Getty Images
Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
