Kobbie Mainoo has been worried for months in his future in Manchester United, the midfielder planning a departure in January.
Formerly considered to be the beating heart of the new generation of United, Mainoo is found in September 2025 against the most difficult dilemma of his young career: fighting for crumbs at Old Trafford or temporarily walking away to preserve his dreams of national team.
Mainoo disturbed by his lack of playing time, Zerbi and OM alert
Contractual negotiations at neutral under the new regime
According to ESPN, Mainoo is increasingly disturbed by the lack of opportunities under the direction of Ruben Amorim and even asked for a loan before the transfer window closed, OM being interested. This request was rejected, but the door could reopen in January. Mainoo's approach was not a last -minute head. The young man and his team have weighed the pros and cons for months before being officially trained with Amorim and the sports director Jason Wilcox. Their fear was simple: a playing time limited to United was likely to compromise its progress and ruin its chances of joining the Thomas Tuchel team for the next summer World Cup.
Rumors of dissatisfaction has been circulating since the start of the year. It is reported that Mainoo began to worry when rumors circulated that United could take advantage of him or his fellow by training Alejandro Garnacho to lighten the pressure and sustainability rules (RPD). At the time, Mainoo had asked a former player for advice, but preferred to remain silent. It was only towards the end of the summer that his frustration overflowed, which led to the loan request. Naples appeared as a serious destination, as well as Marseille, but United opposed his veto. Internal sources believe that the agreement could be re -examined in January if the role of Mainoo does not improve, but only if United finds an appropriate replacement.
Mainoo signed a new contract in 2023, binding it to Old Trafford until 2027, the club with an option for an additional year. Following his breakthrough at Euro 2024, discussions began on a revaluation of his salary in order to reflect his growing notoriety. But since Sir Jim Ratcliffe assumed a control role, these discussions have stalled. With the strengthening of salary controls imposed by the Ratcliffe regime, the future of Mainoo does not seem clearer outside the field than on it.
