Kobbie Mainoo makes decision on Man Utd future after Ruben Amorim snub

Kobbie Mainoo would consider leaving Manchester United if the club receive a ‘suitable’ transfer offer for his services this summer, according to reports.

The 20-year-old midfielder broke out of United’s academy and established himself as a genuine first-team star across an eye-catching 2023/24 campaign.

But Mainoo struggled for fitness last term and the England international has been left as an unused substitute in United’s two opening matches of the Premier League season against Arsenal and Fulham.

It raises serious questions about Mainoo’s current standing under head coach Ruben Amorim, with Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes currently occupying the base of United’s midfield.

And with Old Trafford bosses reportedly pursuing a move for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, Mainoo’s path to the first-team could soon be made even tricker.

Chelsea have been credited with a strong interest in Mainoo since as far back as January and a proposed transfer would come as a PSR boost to United given the youngster’s status as a homegrown player.

While there had been discussions over a potential contract extension, Mainoo’s £150,000-a-week wage demands ultimately proved a stumbling block, leaving his future in the air.

According to talkSPORT, there is now a real possibility that Mainoo could depart the Theatre of Dreams before the summer transfer deadline on September 1.

Mainoo’s current deal runs through to June 2027 and includes the option of an additional 12 months.

The United academy product has made a total of just 12 league starts since Amorim took over the reins from Erik ten Hag last November.

‘He is fighting for the position now with Bruno,’ Amorim told reporters when asked why Mainoo had failed to play a single minute for the club this season.

‘And I change to two midfielders, I left Mason Mount there because we want to score a goal and when I change I felt the team needs to have one holding midfielder near Bruno.

‘So he just needs to fight for the position with Bruno like it should be at Manchester United.’

Rio Ferdinand has been one of Mainoo’s most vocal advocates since the midfielder burst onto the scene and announced himself as one of the most exciting young players in Premier League football.

But according to Ferdinand, Mainoo may be the kind of player that needs a team to be built around him in order to truly thrive.

‘I think he’s the type of player, I think he’s got the talent to build around, but you’ve got to have the team functioning and playing in a particular way,’ the legendary ex-United and England defender said on his Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel.

‘I had a debate – there are some players who need the system to be able to perform.

‘There’s some great players we’ve got in this country right now, I’ll go through a few of them, I think Kobbie Mainoo needs a system to play in.

‘I think Phil Foden needs a system to play in, I think for them to play to their optimum best.

‘Cole Palmer can go anywhere I think and go and play and be Cole Palmer – there’s certain players who are just going to do what they do.’

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