Rio Ferdinand fears Manchester United outcast Kobbie Mainoo is wasting his career at the club and has urged the midfielder to leave during the January transfer window.
After he capped a stunning breakthrough season by playing a major role in England’s march to the final of Euro 2024, the gifted midfielder look set for a long and prosperous Old Trafford career.
Erik ten Hag’s departure and the decision to replace him with Ruben Amorim has, however, had a disastrous impact on Mainoo’s first team opportunities.
A change in system has done little to help his cause, but the 20-year-old appears to have little hope of forcing his way back into Amorim’s plans given the lack of opportunities he has been afforded, despite United’s erratic form.
Amorim cut a frustrated figure last Friday in his pre-match press conference ahead of last night’s win at Wolves when he was accused of lacking faith in the club’s young players and Mainoo specificaly.
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Ferdinand’s former teammates, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, both encouraged Mainoo to seek a fresh challenge next month and Ferdinand believes the player, who has made just 11 appearances this season, has little option but to reluctantly leave his boyhood club.
‘Did you hear the reaction of the fans when Kobbie Mainoo came on the pitch? Ferdinand asked his guests on his YouTube channel. ‘Great show of support.
‘I saw Butty and Scholesy talking about it on their podcast and I totally agree with them. If I think about it and put myself in Kobbie Mainoo’s shoes I’m out of there, I’ve got to.
‘He was playing for England and one of the best players in the tournament. Not many people can say they’ve done that. He has it’s just he’s wasted 18 months of his career now at Manchester United.
‘He’s probably been there six months longer than he should’ve been. He should’ve just gone and I think his agent and more importantly his family around him have to protect him.’
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Should Kobbie Mainoo leave Man Utd in January?
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Yes – get out while he can
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No – stay and fight for his place
Mainoo came close to leaving in the summer with United reportedly open to offers in the region of just £45million.
Chelsea registered a firm interested but instead pursued another United outcast in Alejandro Garnacho, while Napoli, who have reignited the career of Scott McTominay, were also willing to offer an escape route.
‘He might be saying I love Manchester United too much to go I want to stay and fight,’ added Ferdinand.
‘But it is going to be two years in the summer you can’t lose two years in your career. It’s a short career and you have to make decisions that are best for you.
If I was him I’d say the manager isn’t going to start playing me now. If you’ve not played me in all these matches that have gone before you aren’t going to play me now.
‘Let’s just be honest with each other I’m surplus to requirements, get me out of here.’