Club will only entertain exceptional offers; more opportunities expected to open up for the 20-year-old
Manchester United are expected to resist any January approaches for Kobbie Mainoo unless they receive an exceptional offer.
United are determined to retain one of their most highly rated academy graduates. They have little appetite for either a permanent sale or a loan move next month, according to Sky Sports.
Despite interest from several Premier League sides, only a small number would be capable of funding a deal that United would even consider, and the view inside Old Trafford is that Mainoo remains central to Ruben Amorim’s long-term plans.
Mainoo has yet to start a league match this season and has been limited largely to late substitute appearances. He was brought on for Casemiro and played for 30 minutes in United’s 4-4 draw with Bournemouth on Monday. Loud cheers from the Old Trafford faithful greeted the player when he came on to the pitch.
In more controversial circumstances, the youngster’s brother was also seen in the stands wearing a T-shirt bearing the slogan “Free Kobbie Mainoo”.
Amorim has spoken positively about the 20-year-old’s ability, but insists that only competition for places has kept him on the fringes. Under Erik ten Hag, Mainoo was a first-team regular and went on to play for England in the Euros, starting in the final against Spain.
He has not started for England since and it is believed that a desire to re-establish himself in the national side is a key reason why he is considering a loan move in January. Mainoo also asked the club to leave on loan in the summer but he was denied.
Former United captain Roy Keane urged Mainoo, via the Stick to Football podcast, to rise to the challenge and prove himself at the club.
While United rate the player highly and envision a future for him at the club, their reluctance to sanction a loan is also based on practical considerations. Allowing Mainoo to leave would likely force the club into the market for midfield cover, as United have only two regulars there, namely Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro.
There is also an understanding that more opportunities will open up for him by the second half of the season. Already, the player is strongly in line for a first start after Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui departed for the Africa Cup of Nations, while Casemiro is suspended for the trip to Aston Villa on Sunday.
