Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo reveals how close he came to £70million Chelsea transfer

Kobbie Mainoo has confessed he was forced to ‘consider all things’ amid speculation he was ready to quit Manchester United during Ruben Amorim’s ill-fated reign.

The England international look set to be part of the furniture at his boyhood club after making a stunning breakthrough under Erik ten Hag, capped by a winning FA Cup final goal.

Amorim’s appointment as Ten Hag’s successor resulted in a dramatic change of fortunes for the England international who was essentially frozen out to the point whereby his departure looked inevitable.

Napoli emerged as serious contenders to sign the gifted midfielder, while Chelsea were twice heavily linked with a £70million move for the 21-year-old.

Mainoo has since turned his Old Trafford career around under Michael Carrick, becoming a mainstay in a side that has qualified for the Champions League with room to spare.

A new contract was signed last month and a return to the England fold now looks a distinct possibility ahead of the World Cup.

It is all a far cry from the dark days during the latter stages of the summer January transfer window when he was forced to consider turning his back on United.

Asked if it had crossed his mind to move away from Old Trafford, Mainoo was vague but noted that he had ‘considered all things’. 

‘But at the forefront of my mind was always to play for Manchester United and continue to play for this club that I’ve grown up at,’ Mainoo added.

‘Going from playing nearly every game to not playing as often, it’s always going to be difficult and an adjustment.’

‘But I guess it’s part of the game and that was good for me in terms of learning myself, learning the game, what it is, patience. 

‘It’s difficult anytime you’re not playing because I love football and I love to play. So, I feel like I learned things off the pitch in terms of how to schedule my life and how I train and how I work, getting into routines and stuff.

‘And being able to learn from experienced players in the team, and also patience and just working hard.’