Kobbie Mainoo was among the players who were not getting enough minutes at Manchester United this season under Ruben Amorim. The Englishman was linked with an exit, with Chelsea and Napoli reportedly keen on signing him.
Manchester United Makes Decision on Star Player Kobbie Mainoo
Amorim was sacked earlier this month, handing several Manchester United players a fresh lifeline. Mainoo is among those whose plans have changed, as the midfielder was close to leaving during the January window.
Napoli were confident of landing the Englishman on loan for the rest of the season, as Antonio Conte wanted to add fresh legs to his midfield. Chelsea were also pursuing the youngster, with reports linking them to him as far back as January 2025.
According to Caught Offside, Mainoo will not be moving clubs this month, as Manchester United wants to keep the squad intact for the remainder of the season. Michael Carrick, who has replaced Amorim on a short-term deal, is keen to work with the Englishman and is adamant about not letting him leave.
Mainoo earned a rare start against Manchester City this week and impressed as the Red Devils eased to a 2-0 win over their derby rivals. It marked the first time he completed 90 minutes for the club since their Carabao Cup loss to Grimsby Town in August 2025.
The decision to keep the star player will come as a relief to Nicky Butt, as the Manchester United legend previously expressed concern about how Amorim was handling the youngster.
Butt claimed the club had a brilliant player in the squad but was not making the most of him. He believed United would have spent significant money to sign Mainoo if he were playing elsewhere and said on Sky Sports in November:
“I’m worried about him because he’s a superstar. He’s got to the England team at 18, 19. He was one of the best performers in the Euros for us. He’s come through the academy at Man United from the age of seven. He was there when I was there as academy manager. I know him as a person. I knew him as a young boy. I know him as a young man. I know the talent that he’s got.
“And the scary thing for me is if Kobbie Mainoo was playing for Crystal Palace, for example, if he was at any other football club, bar Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, where it’s hard to get players out of, Man United would be in for him in January for 50 [or] 60 million.”
Mainoo will now be hoping to make the most of his opportunities this season and earn a place on the plane with the England squad for the FIFA World Cup.
