‘It’s crazy the way he’s been treated’ – Insider fumes at what’s happened to Man United player
Kobbie Mainoo is expected to push for a move away from Man United when the January transfer window opens amid growing interest.
That is according to former Man United chief scout Mick Brown, who worked at Old Trafford for over a decade during their most successful period, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 20-year-old believes he could play regularly for another top side.
The England international remains out of favour under Ruben Amorim, and is frustrated about his playing time after starting just one game all season.
Meanwhile, Brown told Football Insider during the summer that Man United were open to offers for Mainoo, which left the player unsettled and considering his future.
A lack of playing time combined with feeling unwanted by his boyhood club has pushed the midfielder to consider his options amid growing interest on the continent.
Kobbie Mainoo aims to push for Man United exit
Brown told Football Insider last month that Man United will block Mainoo’s exit in January as they are reluctant to lose another academy star after Scott McTominay‘s success.
However, the former scout who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment and also worked for the likes of Tottenham, Aston Villa and West Ham, has insisted the midfielder has been left unhappy by the club’s treatment.
“Mainoo will push to leave in January, I have no doubt,” he told Football Insider.
“It’s crazy the way he’s been treated, but Amorim isn’t the only one to blame, Man United were testing the waters about interest in him during the summer.
“All of the noise coming out of the club was that they would be prepared to let him go for the right price because of their financial situation.
“Nothing ended up happening, but it’s something they looked into, and the player was made aware of that which left him a bit unsettled.
“If you keep telling a player he’s not wanted by the club and the manager, even if you later change your minds, he’s not going to want to stick around.
“Mainoo works hard, he’s a creative player, an excellent passer of the ball. He’s not a powerhouse or a flying machine, but he’s a very, very good footballer.
“The fact he continues to be left out of the side and isn’t even coming off the bench, he could go and start every week for a lot of top clubs in Europe.
“He knows that, and he knows there’s interest, it won’t come as a surprise to anybody but if the chance comes up he will want to jump ship.
“It was completely avoidable, but it’s a situation the club have put themselves in with the way they have treated him since the summer window opened.”
Man United’s updated stance on Mainoo exit revealed
Man United have stood firm in their desire to keep their star academy graduate at Old Trafford despite the manager’s stance given his long-term value.
However, Football Insider revealed earlier this month that Man United could change their stance over Mainoo and allow him to leave in January after all.
Should the Red Devils manage to land a replacement in the early stages of the window, it could open the door for Premier League and European sides to swoop.
Football Insider revealed in October that Mainoo is desperate to leave United in January, as he wants to be in with a chance of making Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad.
United remain very reluctant to lose him, whether it’s on loan or permanently, but also do not want an unhappy player at the club, causing a major dilemma behind the scenes.
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