Sources: Man United would let Kobbie Mainoo leave in January on one condition
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net.
(Credit: Imago)
Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Mon 22 September 2025 11:40, UK
Man United would be willing to part with Kobbie Mainoo in the upcoming transfer windows if they could find a midfield replacement.
The 20-year-old pushed hard to leave Old Trafford but Mainoo wasn’t allowed to leave Man United in the summer transfer window.
Sources told Football Insider on 20 September that Man United firmly rejected Newcastle United’s approaches for Mainoo with Eddie Howe eager to bolster his midfield.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the Red Devils would only consider letting the Englishman go if they could source a like-for-like replacement.
The United academy graduate is focused on being part of Thomas Tuchel’s elusive 2026 World Cup squad and will need an uptake in minutes to impress the German.
Credit: Imago
Casemiro’s stupid red card for Man United against Chelsea on 20 September could see an opening for the number 37 to fill in alongside Bruno Fernandes in the middle of the park.
The five-foot-eleven playmaker will battle it out with Manuel Ugarte to impress Ruben Amorim in a bid to kickstart the Englishman’s stop-start campaign so far.
MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast over how United would consider parting with Mainoo, I explained: “If he’s not playing regularly under Ruben Amorim, he might be keen on a move away, which was seemingly the case this summer.
“I just think it’s a difficult deal to do because United don’t really want to lose him.
And obviously if United are to sanction a move from him, it would only be if they could bring in a replacement in midfield.
Credit: Imago
“I think as things stand right now, Man United are counting on Kobbie Mainoo and they expect him to remain at Old Trafford.”
The 2-1 victory over Chelsea came at a crucial time with the Portuguese manager drowning under the immense pressure at Old Trafford.
Sources told Football Insider on 22 September that Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola and Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner are on Man United’s shortlist of Amorim replacements.
If the former Sporting CP boss was to depart from Manchester a new managerial appointment could lead to Mainoo being restored to the starting XI.
Credit: Imago
The 20-year-old has failed to start in the Premier League after five matches and will be hoping that Jim Ratcliffe grows impatient with Amorim.
Despite the monumental result against the Blues, the Red Devils head coach is by no means off the hook with European football a must-have target for the United board.