Kobbie Mainoo has recently communicated to Manchester United his desire to leave on loan, aiming to secure more regular playing time this season. The young midfielder is currently competing for a starting position against Bruno Fernandes in the tactical setup established by head coach Ruben Amorim. Despite Mainoo’s intentions, United are adamant about retaining his services, as Amorim emphasized his commitment to the 20-year-old by stating, “I want Kobbie to stay and he needs to fight for his place. We need Kobbie. That is not going to change.”
The coaching staff is aware that players who find themselves on the bench might feel disappointed. Amorim reassured everyone that opportunities will arise as the season progresses, urging all players to maintain their dedication and effort during training sessions: “The players not playing will be disappointed, but everyone will have opportunities. You have to fight in the week.”
Mainoo’s journey this season has been tumultuous. He featured prominently in the Carabao Cup match against Grimsby Town recently; however, he remained an unused substitute during both of Manchester United’s Premier League matches this season. This decline in playing time has been notable, especially given Mainoo’s impressive performances for England during the 2024 European Championships, where he played a crucial role in the final against Spain in Berlin. His form has dipped since, leading to his exclusion from Thomas Tuchel’s most recent England squad for the upcoming autumn internationals.
Amorim indicated that Mainoo’s current challenge involves competing with United’s captain, Bruno Fernandes, for a place in the midfield. Fernandes was a vital part of the squad last season, starting in nearly all 61 matches across all competitions, which adds to the competition for Mainoo.
In addition to Mainoo’s situation, other academy graduates at Manchester United are facing uncertain futures. Alejandro Garnacho is reportedly on the verge of finalizing a move to Chelsea, with a £40 million fee that has been agreed upon between the clubs. This fee marks a significant transfer, ranking as the fourth-largest sale in United’s history, just behind transactions for Cristiano Ronaldo, Romelu Lukaku, and Angel Di Maria. Furthermore, it’s the largest sum ever received by the club for an academy graduate, evidencing a shift in the club’s approach toward player development and sales.
The negotiation process showcased United’s ability to drive the fee up from an initial Chelsea offer of £25 million, illustrating a pragmatic approach to achieving a favorable outcome for both the club and Garnacho, who had expressed a strong desire to move on. It’s understood that he departs with United’s best wishes after turning down offers from other clubs to pursue a move to Chelsea specifically.
Additionally, Rasmus Hojlund’s potential exit from Old Trafford appears imminent, with reports indicating he will travel to Naples for a medical examination within the next 24-48 hours. His representative is already in Naples, leading to optimism that a full agreement will soon be reached. Napoli has a tentative agreement with Manchester United for a loan deal, including an obligation clause that could culminate in a total value of £40 million, contingent upon Napoli’s qualification for the Champions League next season.
When questioned about Hojlund, Amorim maintained a cautious approach, stating, “Until it is official, I cannot say much,” signifying that while discussions are progressing, public declarations should wait until all formalities are finalized.
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