Young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is being linked with a move away from Old Trafford. The 20-year-old talent, who impressed last season, has been an unused substitute in Manchester United’s opening two Premier League matches. United manager Ruben Amorim explained his absence by stating that he is now in direct competition with club captain Bruno Fernandes – a battle that is understandably difficult to win.
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Kobbie Mainoo considers Manchester United exit amid lack of playing time
Given that Fernandes has missed just eight league matches in five and a half years at United, Mainoo now faces a tough dilemma. If Fernandes does not accept the offer from Al Ittihad, Mainoo will likely struggle to gain significant minutes. According to talkSPORT, the England international is open to leaving the club before the transfer window closes on 1 September.
Journalist Graeme Bailey reports that Mainoo is unhappy with the situation. Among the five clubs showing interest are Chelsea and Tottenham. Brentford, Brighton, and Fulham have also been mentioned, but none of those teams can offer European football – a key factor for the player.
Chelsea and Spurs leading the race
Should the opportunity arise, Mainoo would reportedly favour a move to Chelsea or Tottenham. Chelsea may hold a slight edge over Spurs, as the club would be better positioned to meet his wage demands. According to GiveMeSport, Mainoo would like to earn around £180,000 per week if he leaves United. That figure would place him among Chelsea’s top five earners, alongside Enzo Fernandez. At Tottenham, only club captain Cristian Romero earns more, with a reported wage of £195,000 per week.
Mainoo remains quiet on future
Mainoo has remained relatively quiet when asked about his future, but during a pre-season interview with MUTV, he did comment on his role within the squad. “I felt good playing,” he said. “Playing with Manu Ugarte, Bruno, or any of them – Casemiro, Toby Collyer, now Matheus Cunha – I think it worked well. I am looking forward to the season and will see what happens.” Whether he starts the new campaign at a different club will be revealed soon.
This article was originally published on Fotbal Portal.
