Insider: Kobbie Mainoo could quit Man United - 'it's a big concern'
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Callum O'Connell
Mon 25 August 2025 16:08, UK
Kobbie Mainoo could be tempted to leave Man United in the closing stages of the summer transfer window, according to their former chief scout.
Mick Brown, who worked at Old Trafford for over a decade during the club’s most successful period and remains very well-connected there, exclusively told Football Insider that the 20-year-old’s lack of playing time is becoming a “major concern”.
The England international has not played a single minute across United’s two Premier League games so far, with Amorim claiming he is in competition with Bruno Fernandes.
Football Insider later revealed on 3 August that Mainoo has worked his way into Amorim’s plans, having initially been earmarked as a potential sale, but he remains sidelined.
That is despite the inconsistent displays of the likes of Manuel Ugarte, Mason Mount, Casemiro and Fernandes already this season.
As a result, he may have second thoughts, as he wants to play regular football to give himself a chance of making Thomas Tuchel‘s World Cup squad in 2026.
Kobbie Mainoo has been linked with a move away from Man United.
(Credit: Imago)
This article contains exclusive comment from Mick Brown, a football transfer expert and former chief scout for Man United and Sunderland among others.
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Brown told Football Insider that Mainoo is set to remain at Old Trafford despite initial expectations that he would leave given a lack of interest in his signature.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment and also worked for the likes of Tottenham, West Ham and Aston Villa, insisted that the midfielder could now be in line for a move away after all.
“It’s a difficult situation to understand,” he told Football Insider.
“Kobbie Mainoo is a top-class footballer, and it’s not like they’ve got people playing out of their skin in the middle of the park, they’re all over the place.
“If he can’t get minutes ahead of the likes of Ugarte, I don’t know what more he can do.
“It’s a big concern if they can’t find a way to get a player like that in the team.
“There was all of the talk earlier in the summer that he could be sold, which would never be the case if it were up to me, but it wouldn’t surprise me if that came back.
“He’s not going to be happy playing no minutes in the Premier League.
“Especially with the World Cup coming up, he’s going to want to play.
“So if a team comes in for him after the way things have gone in their last two games, I think it’s something he will want to consider.”
Mainoo is not the only first-team player to be linked with a move away from United before the window closes, with Luke Shaw subject to recent speculation.
However, Brown told Football Insider on 21 August that Man United have no intention of selling Shaw as he is set to play a key role under Amorim this season.
Photo by Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
After starting in United’s opening-day defeat against Arsenal, the boss showed a clear display of faith in the experienced left-back despite speculation about his future.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider last month that Man United could accept “huge” offers for Shaw amid interest from Saudi Pro League sides.
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