The dilemma over Kobbie Mainoo’s situation should see player and club take the long-term view.
It is apparent right now that Kobbie Mainoo wants one thing, and Manchester United want another.
Kobbie Mainoo wants to play football on a regular basis, and is keen on a loan move away from the club to get it.
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim does not see Mainoo as a regular starter, while United do not wish to let him leave.
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Sky Sports report that only ‘exceptional’ offers for Mainoo will be considered in the January transfer window.
Mainoo wants a platform to earn his way back into the England squad for the World Cup, and a United exit could be one route to get himself back on the map.
But there is no reason the January window needs to have a hard limit of deciding Mainoo’s long-term future.
Amad patience and loans are paying off
Kobbie Mainoo and Manchester United should look to Amad as a blueprint for how to handle his situation.
Amad joined United in early 2021, and went on to break into the first team in his opening season, even scoring a header at Old Trafford against AC Milan.
But the development of young players is not always easy, and Amad was judged to be not quite ready for a regular starting role.
United took the decision to send him out on loan. He was set to switch to the Eredivisie before an injury blocked that move. So he joined Rangers in the second half of the season.
Amad made an early impact at Rangers but then struggled. Another loan was necessary, where he joined Sunderland in the Championship.
This successful loan move was the making of Amad, yet even then there was an unwelcome delay. He returned to United with a point to prove, before suffering a pre-season injury in 2023.
It meant that the Ivorian took a while to win over Erik ten Hag and only really made an impact in April and May 2024. He was unlucky not to be included in the FA Cup Final.
2024/25 became Amad’s true breakthrough year, and now in 2025/26, he is firmly established as a key player for the club.
Still only 23-years-old, it is almost exactly five years since he joined the club, five years since he made his debut, and scored that goal against Milan.
Push comes to shove: Would you rather have Kobbie Mainoo stay at Man Utd or Ruben Amorim?
United and Amad both stood firm
Manchester United were absolutely committed to supporting Amad’s development, while totally steadfast to keeping him long-term.
Every decision that was made, was taken with the objective of Amad succeeding at United.
And critically, Amad had total buy-in too, and went on to sign a contract running to 2030.
His only goal was to become a success in the United first team, and not once did you hear him complain or agitate for a move.
This is the long-term perspective that Kobbie Mainoo needs to take, in full agreement with the club.
A loan move might be necessary in January. It might even be necessary for the entire 2026/27 season.
And if he performs and seizes his chance, Mainoo should be offered the route back into the United first team.
The big blocker here is Mainoo’s contract, currently set to expire in 2028.
He needs to make the gesture now to renew his deal, and let his football do the rest of the talking, with the trust that United will look after him long-term.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/OEe5gWr