A cornerstone of Manchester United’s identity, a tradition stretching back an astonishing 86 years, is facing an unprecedented threat this transfer window.
The club’s legendary streak of including an academy graduate in every single senior matchday squad since October 1937 could come to an end if local hero Kobbie Mainoo departs Old Trafford before Monday’s deadline.
Mainoo, a 20-year-old midfielder whose meteoric rise saw him score a sensational FA Cup-winning goal against rivals Manchester City last season, finds himself in an unexpected and deeply frustrating predicament.
Having featured prominently under former manager Erik ten Hag, the midfielder has been entirely overlooked in Ruben Amorim’s first two Premier League games, left on the substitutes’ bench and visibly dejected.
Sources close to the player reveal Mainoo is “deeply frustrated” by his lack of playing time and a perceived lack of clear pathway into Amorim’s system.
The manager in a recent press conference views Mainoo’s direct competition as club captain Bruno Fernandes, whose role is shifting to central midfield. Concerns over Mainoo’s mobility and pace have also been cited by Amorim as areas for improvement.
This on-pitch struggle is compounded by an impasse in contract negotiations. Mainoo, currently earning around £20,000 a week on a deal signed in February 2023, was reportedly seeking a substantial increase to reflect his newfound status as a first-team regular and international player.
United, however, are reluctant to meet these demands, believing he needed another year or two of development before commanding such a salary. With playing opportunities now limited, Mainoo is said to have no intention of renewing his deal.
As a result, Mainoo is open to leaving his boyhood club. Manchester United, having considered selling him all summer, would now reportedly accept around £45 million, a significant reduction from the £70 million quoted to Chelsea in January.
Interest has emerged from various quarters, though without a formal bid. Bayern Munich explored a move but did not formalize it. New Bayer Leverkusen manager Erik ten Hag, a keen admirer, wanted a reunion but a deal was deemed financially out of reach for the German club.
Mainoo himself is thought to prefer a move to continental Europe over staying in the Premier League.
Should Mainoo depart, the proud legacy of an academy product featuring in 4,323 consecutive senior games would be shattered. His potential exit not only marks a critical juncture in his promising career but also casts a shadow over a tradition that has long been synonymous with Manchester United’s very soul.
