Mainoo has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford this summer
Gary Neville has insisted Manchester United must keep hold of midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, despite ongoing uncertainty over the club’s plans for the 20-year-old.
The former United captain, who has called for the club to part ways with Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Alejandro Garnacho this summer, believes Mainoo’s potential should male him untouchable in Ruben Amorim’s rebuild.
“Mainoo is a step too far,” Neville said on The Overlap’s It’s Called Soccer. “If we can’t give Kobbie Mainoo a job in that two in midfield, a top club will want him.”
“Why can’t we make him a top player, if he’s one of ours and is showing talent? I don’t know what’s going on there in the last few months, he’s had some injuries that have caused him problems, so he needs to stay fit.
“But I’d like to feel he could be one of the two in midfield that United play.”
Mainoo endured a frustrating season due to injury but had impressed during a run of games earlier in the campaign. Last season, he was also hailed as one of the brightest midfield talents in Britain, earning an England call-up.
“We should be building around Mainoo in that midfield,” said Neville. “Not because he’s come through the ranks – I’m alright with getting rid of players coming through the ranks, but not getting rid of players who’ve shown what they can do.”
United have last summer’s signing from Paris Saint-Germain Manuel Ugarte and former Real Madrid player Casemiro as options in midfield. However, Neville dismissed both as ideal long-term partners for Mainoo, saying it should be “someone else in there who is better than those two”.
