Manchester United's young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo finds himself at a critical juncture in his promising career, with his future at Old Trafford under serious scrutiny.
A Meteoric Rise Grinds to a Halt
After breaking into the first team two years ago, Kobbie Mainoo enjoyed a rapid ascent. Despite an injury-hit start to the 2023/24 campaign, he established himself as a key figure under then-manager Erik ten Hag, making 24 Premier League appearances, the majority from the start.
Last season, he continued to feature regularly, clocking up over 30 appearances across all competitions even after Ruben Amorim replaced Ten Hag in the dugout. However, the current 2025/26 season has seen a dramatic and worrying reversal in his fortunes.
The Stark Reality of This Season
Under Ruben Amorim, Mainoo's involvement has dwindled to almost nothing. His only start this term came in the Carabao Cup second-round tie against Grimsby Town in late August, a match United ultimately lost on penalties.
In the Premier League, the situation is even more concerning. While he has made substitute appearances in nine of United's 14 league games, he is yet to be named in the starting XI. He was an unused substitute in the recent 1-1 home draw with West Ham United.
This places him in a worrying group of only four senior squad members yet to start a league game, alongside Tom Heaton, Tyrell Malacia, and the recently injured Lisandro Martinez. For Mainoo, there is no such obvious excuse for his absence.
Mounting Pressure and Transfer Whispers
The situation has not gone unnoticed. Club legend Paul Scholes recently took to social media to voice his anger, suggesting the "kid is being ruined" and that a departure might now be "best for him".
With the January transfer window approaching, speculation is resurfacing. Mainoo was linked with a move to Napoli during the summer, and such rumours are likely to intensify if his situation does not change.
Furthermore, United's continued interest in midfield reinforcements, such as their failed summer pursuit of Brighton's Carlos Baleba, threatens to push Mainoo even further down the pecking order at Old Trafford.
England Hopes Hang in the Balance
The timing is particularly poor for the 20-year-old, with a World Cup on the horizon. After earning his first senior England call-up in the spring of last year, Mainoo has been absent from all Three Lions squads in 2025.
England manager Thomas Tuchel has been clear about the reason, citing a lack of minutes at club level. "He's lacking minutes," Tuchel stated. "I don't think he lacks anything else... but in his position we have players in full rhythm and play key parts in their clubs."
For a player who showed such immense early promise, the prospect of leaving the club he came through at is a disappointing one. However, with Amorim clearly favouring other options, Kobbie Mainoo faces the biggest decision of his young career in the coming weeks as he seeks to reignite his trajectory.
