Manchester United warned to refuse transfer that would be 'a step too far'
Manchester United legend Gary Neville has urged the club not to sell Kobbie Mainoo, warning them that it would be 'a step too far'. Mainoo, 20, broke into United's first-team under former boss Erik ten Hag and enjoyed a meteoric rise during the 2023-24 season.
The midfielder scored as Ten Hag's side beat Manchester City to win the FA Cup and he became a starter for England later that summer, helping the Three Lions reach the final of Euro 2024. But his progress has stalled this term.
Fitness problems and a change of formation under new manager Ruben Amorim have limited Mainoo's opportunities. The United academy graduate was benched for the Europa League final and Amorim only gave him a brief cameo in stoppage time.
His lack of minutes plus the Red Devils' decision to put every player up for sale this summer has left Mainoo's future shrouded in uncertainty. Neville, like many supporters, would be gutted to see the Stockport-born starlet leave.
"Mainoo, no. That's a step too far," Neville declared on the It's Called Soccer podcast. "If we can't give Kobbie Mainoo a job in that two in midfield… I look at Mainoo and the way he plays football and I think a top club would want him.
"Why can't we make him a top player? If he's one of ours and he's shown talent. I don't know what's gone on there in the last few months. He's obviously had some injuries which has caused him a problem so he needs to stay fit, but I'd like to think he could be one of that two in midfield that Ruben Amorim plays.
"It's probably not Casemiro as his partner and it's probably not [Manuel] Ugarte as his partner, it's probably someone else in there who is better than those two, if I'm being honest. But we should be building around Kobbie Mainoo in central midfield and not because he's come through the ranks.
Would you sell Kobbie Mainoo if you were Manchester United? Have your say in the comments section.
"I'm alright for getting rid of players coming through the ranks, but not getting rid of players who come through the ranks and have shown what they can do. Marcus Rashford has been at the club a long time, [Alejandro] Garnacho has had two or three years and there's a bit of a situation going on as well. But Mainoo is a no for me. He doesn't leave."
Amorim has already assured Neville that he doesn't want to lose Mainoo, who was tipped to join Premier League rivals Chelsea in January. It came amid reports that the 20-year-old's representatives were demanding wages in the region of £150,000 per week.
"I really love my players," Amorim said. "I want to keep them, especially the talented ones. It is a hard moment and I am really happy with Kobbie. He is improving."
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