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Kobbie Mainoo expected to remain at Man Utd after coaching change
Fabrizio Romano believes Kobbie Mainoo is no longer looking for a move away from Old Trafford, exclusively revealing on his weekly DAZN Transfer show.
The 20-year-old had become an afterthought earlier this season at Manchester United under former manager Ruben Amorim after playing a key role for the Red Devils in each of the previous two campaigns.
Mainoo had been reportedly looking for a loan to another club in order to help secure his spot in Thomas Tuchel's England squad ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but Romano reported on Monday that the youngster is likely to stay at Man United now that opportunities to play have re-emerged under caretakers Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick.
Fletcher utilized the midfielder for the final 17 minutes of Man United's 2-2 draw with Burnley on Jan. 7 before handing Mainoo a start in the team's FA Cup third-round loss to Brighton four days later. Then Carrick, who will manage the Red Devils for the remainder of the season, gave Mainoo his second straight start and first full 90-minute game since August in Man United's 2-0 victory over Manchester City on the weekend.
It's this increased usage that has likely convinced the player to halt his search for a loan move, Romano explained.
"The managerial change really completed and changed everything for Kobbie Mainoo, because a few weeks ago, it was December, Kobbie was really open to leave in the club on loan — he was never planning to leave on a permanent transfer with a buy option, only a straight loan to play for six months," the renowned football journalist said on DAZN Transfer with Fabrizio Romano.
"Work had been coming, having the opportunity to develop, to grow after difficult months under Ruben Amorim, and he was really keen on joining Napoli in Italy on loan.
"The deal was very advanced between the player and club, but never got the green light from United."
Given the new coaching situation at the club, Romano puts Mainoo's chances of staying at Old Trafford at 85 percent, and he thinks discussions on a new contract will take place after the end of the current campaign.
"But now Kobbie is playing, Kobbie is starting, and if it will continue like this ... I think he's going to stay at the club until the end of the season," he said.
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