How Man Utd’s biggest deadline day decision came over a player who wanted to leave Old Trafford, it was essential

Kobbie Mainoo will remain a Manchester United player amid plenty of speculation over his future.

The uncertainty surrounding Kobbie Mainoo’s future has been disconcerting for Manchester United supporters.

Despite his injury struggles from the previous season, the 20-year-old’s promise is still widely believed. The United Academy graduate scored in the FA Cup win over Man City in 2023, and a year later, he played for England in the European Championship final.

However, since losing his spot in United’s starting lineup, Mainoo has slipped in the hierarchy under Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford.

As a result, Thomas Tuchel’s most recent England squad for the September internationals does not include Mainoo.

According to reports last week, Mainoo wanted to go on loan from United in order to play regular football somewhere else, but the Red Devils insisted on keeping the midfield player. On the day of the deadline, it was United’s most important choice.

Man Utd were right to keep Kobbie Mainoo

The two most talked-about topics at the close of the transfer window were Mainoo’s future and United’s goalkeeping dilemma.

The fact that Mainoo is still at Old Trafford is arguably the biggest plus, even though United reached an agreement on deadline day for Senne Lammens.

Mainoo was one of United’s finest players against Grimsby Town after missing the team’s opening two games of the season. Three days later, he came off the bench in United’s 3-2 victory over Burnley.

It would have been devastating for United supporters to lose a player who had shown himself in midfield under Erik ten Hag.

In addition to preserving one of United’s most illustrious records, which has stood for more than eight decades, Amorim needs to figure out how to incorporate a player with Mainoo’s skill into his plans.

Since 1937, the Red Devils have maintained the record of having one academy graduate in every matchday team. Mainoo was the sole youth player on the field after being benched against Burnley on Saturday, so it was all but over.

Mainoo records impressive stat vs Burnley

Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes are “fighting” for a spot on the team, according to a recent statement from Amorim. Despite playing a more significant part under Ten Hag, the remarks implied that the United head coach does not view Mainoo as a replacement for Casemiro or Manuel Ugarte.

Mainoo has plenty of opportunity to improve in many areas of his game, and after replacing Burnley, he shown his ability to defend the defense.

Mainoo played 45 minutes after taking Mason Mount’s place at halftime, and he made four more ball recoveries than any other player during that period.

After the international break, Mainoo will be hoping to start in the Manchester derby.