Man United’s response to Newcastle’s Kobbie Mainoo plan revealed
Man United have given their stance on Newcastle United target Kobbie Mainoo with the Englishman desperate for a move away from Old Trafford.
Sources told Football Insider on 30 August that Mainoo couldn’t leave Man United without a replacement coming in to the club.
The end of the summer transfer window saw the Englishman stay with the Red Devils as Mainoo competes with Bruno Fernandes for a starting spot at Man United.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the Magpies remain interested in the 20-year-old to bolster their midfield.
The number 37 is eager to play regular football at club level in order to grab the attention of Thomas Tuchel ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Man United unlikely to budge on Kobbie Mainoo as Newcastle hone in
Football Insider exclusively revealed in the summer that Ruben Amorim changed his mind on Mainoo leaving Man United despite interest from Chelsea.
Yet, since the closure of the transfer window it is the Toon who have upped their pursuit of the Englishman.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast regarding where the Red Devils stand on their academy product, I explained: “We reported in the summer window that Newcastle were one of the clubs that were looking at Mainoo.
“So obviously that interest hasn’t really gone away and they will continue to monitor his situation at Old Trafford.
“United obviously blocked any potential move in the summer window because they felt they needed him as they were a bit short in midfield as it is.
“I can’t see United being willing to let Mainoo leave again in the January transfer window.”
Limited options in Newcastle midfield could see Eddie Howe up offer for Kobbie Mainoo
The Magpies 2-1 defeat to Barcelona on 18 September highlighted that Eddie Howe’s midfield is already being overworked and overrun with the mounting fixture congestion.
Former FIFA referee Keith Hackett exclusively told Football Insider that match officials missed a red card for Gerard Martin after endangering Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes with a high tackle.
If the Brazilian picks up an injury as a result of constant usage and being on the end of dangerous tackles, the middle of the park for the Toon could be very short.
This would see a push for Mainoo ramped up in the January transfer window to aid the squad with the rising amount of fixtures.
Although United lack depth in the central-midfield spot, a lucrative offer for the 20-year-old could quickly change Jim Ratcliffe’s mind.