Despite heavy activity in the transfer market, Manchester United still have major gaps in certain areas. One decision by the club’s hierarchy has particularly frustrated manager Ruben Amorim.
Although Manchester United spent over €215m this summer, most of it went into strengthening their attacking options (Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo) and finding a new goalkeeper (Senne Lammens). However, other areas clearly lack depth, starting with the midfield, which remains short on creativity.
United will therefore rely on their key men such as Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro. A young talent like Kobbie Mainoo was expected to become the new midfield leader at Old Trafford, but he does not fit into Ruben Amorim’s plans. This choice appears to have been a point of internal debate, as the club refused to loan out the 20-year-old despite his request and interest from six clubs. According to Steve Kay, this decision has frustrated the Red Devils’ manager, who wants to rely solely on players fully committed to the team.
Kobbie Mainoo stays at Manchester United, Amorim fuming
Amorim had aimed to let Kobbie Mainoo go and replace him with a more experienced player. The signing of Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid was possible, even in the final hours of the transfer window. However, Manchester United’s board refused to allow Mainoo to be loaned out, effectively blocking Gallagher’s arrival and angering Amorim in the process.
Runner-up in the 2024 Golden Boy award, Kobbie Mainoo is still regarded as one of the most promising players in his position. The young English prospect was also willing to go out on loan to secure more playing time and preserve his chances of featuring in the 2026 World Cup, something he is unlikely to achieve with limited opportunities at Manchester United. Evidently, he has yet to convince Ruben Amorim.
This article was originally published on Top Mercato.
