Manchester United’s early season woes have taken another dramatic turn as manager Ruben Amorim publicly addressed the uncertainty surrounding young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who’s reportedly considering a loan move in search of more playing time. The 20-year-old’s future at Old Trafford has become a hot topic, especially after United’s shock defeat to Grimsby in the Carabao Cup—an upset that’s left fans and pundits alike questioning the direction of the club under Amorim’s stewardship.
Speaking at a news conference on September 1, 2025, Amorim made his position on Mainoo crystal clear. “I want Kobbie to stay,” he stated emphatically. “He needs to fight for his place, and we need Kobbie. So that is not going to change. The rest I don’t know how it’s going to finish.” Amorim’s words, filled with both resolve and uncertainty, echoed the tumultuous atmosphere currently enveloping Old Trafford.
Mainoo’s concerns are not unfounded. Despite his promising displays last season, the England international has yet to feature in any of United’s opening Premier League fixtures for the 2025-26 campaign. To make matters worse, he was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia. For a player with aspirations of representing his country at the 2026 World Cup, the lack of club minutes is a worrying sign.
According to sources close to the player, Mainoo and his representatives have formally requested a move before the summer transfer window closes on September 2. The hope is that a loan spell elsewhere could offer the regular football needed to keep his international ambitions on track. Yet, Amorim remains adamant about Mainoo’s value to the squad. “I understand that the players that are not playing at this moment are disappointed. But everyone will have the same opportunity to play. You have to fight during the week,” he explained, reinforcing his philosophy of merit-based selection.
The situation is further complicated by United’s recent run of poor form. Last season, the club finished a dismal 15th in the Premier League—their worst showing since 1974. To add insult to injury, they fell to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final, ensuring there would be no European football at Old Trafford for the first time since the 2014-15 season. The start to this campaign has been equally grim. After the embarrassing loss to Grimsby in the Carabao Cup’s second round, United are now left to compete solely in the Premier League and FA Cup, having failed to register a win from their first two league matches.
Amorim hasn’t shied away from expressing his frustrations. In a candid moment following the Grimsby defeat, he admitted, “Sometimes I hate my players, sometimes I love my players, sometimes I want to defend my players. This is my way of doing things and I’m going to be like that. And I felt that in that moment I was so frustrated and annoyed.” The Portuguese manager’s emotional candor has become a hallmark of his tenure, for better or worse. “Sometimes I want to quit, sometimes I want to be here for 20 years. Sometimes I love to be with my players, sometimes I don’t want to be with them. So, again, I need to improve on that. It’s going to be hard. But now I’m good with the next one,” he continued, offering a glimpse into the psychological toll of managing one of football’s most scrutinized clubs.
For Mainoo, the stakes couldn’t be higher. His omission from England’s national team setup for the September international break has only intensified his desire to seek regular first-team action. “Mainoo is concerned that a lack of game time under Amorim could cost him a place at next summer’s World Cup,” reported sources familiar with the negotiations. With the transfer deadline looming, the midfielder’s future hangs in the balance.
Meanwhile, Manchester United are not standing still in the transfer market. The club is reportedly close to finalizing a deal with Real Betis for winger Antony, while negotiations with Napoli for striker Rasmus Hojlund are ongoing. These potential signings could further complicate the midfield pecking order and, by extension, impact Mainoo’s prospects for playing time.
The tension in United’s camp is palpable. The club’s proud history—20-time English champions, with a global fanbase and a tradition of nurturing young talent—stands in stark contrast to their current predicament. Supporters have been vocal about their dissatisfaction, and the pressure on Amorim is mounting with every passing fixture. The upcoming Premier League clash against Burnley on September 6 is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for both the manager and his embattled squad.
Amorim, for his part, is trying to rally his players for the challenges ahead. “The good thing is that we now have the next game to put that level up,” he remarked, signaling a determination to move past recent setbacks. Yet, the shadow of the Grimsby defeat lingers. “Sometimes it’s not the result, it’s the way we lost that game or draw that game. That is the thing that is hard to accept. Because we can do better. At this moment, we cover positions, fight for the ball, run, all these small things, sometimes our level drops a bit.”
With the transfer window set to slam shut and Mainoo’s future unresolved, all eyes are on Old Trafford. Will Amorim’s faith in the youngster be enough to convince him to stay and fight for his place? Or will Mainoo seek greener pastures in a bid to revive his World Cup dreams? The answer may come down to the wire, as negotiations and team dynamics continue to evolve in the final days of the summer window.
Whatever the outcome, one thing is certain: Manchester United’s season is already full of intrigue and uncertainty. As the club looks to steady the ship, the saga of Kobbie Mainoo’s future serves as both a symptom and a symbol of the larger challenges facing Amorim and his squad. The next chapter will unfold on the pitch, with every decision under the microscope and every match carrying added significance.
For now, United fans and football watchers everywhere will have to wait and see whether Mainoo remains a Red Devil or embarks on a new adventure elsewhere. The clock is ticking, and the drama is far from over at Old Trafford.