Real Madrid are reportedly interested in signing Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo on loan. The midfielder has slipped down the pecking order at Old Trafford under Ruben Amorim.
Mainoo was regarded as one of United’s most important players during Erik ten Hag’s time at the club but was often named as a substitute in the months following Amorim’s arrival last season. Remarkably, the 20-year-old – who started England’s clash with Spain in the Euro 2024 final – has failed to make it onto the pitch this season. He remained on the bench during United’s defeat to Arsenal on the opening weekend of the campaign and was again overlooked during their draw against Fulham at the weekend.
According to the Daily Mail, Real are keeping tabs on Mainoo, with sources revealing a season-long loan deal may be of interest to the La Liga giants.
Atletico Madrid are also interested in a loan deal, while a host of Premier League clubs are monitoring his situation as well.
Mainoo wants to play first-team football and is open to a move to a club who will be playing in this season’s Champions League.
United are not looking to sell Mainoo and are unlikely to sanction a temporary departure for the England international as they view a loan deal as undesirable.
The player has been in discussions with his current employers over a new contract, and United are due to make a call on a fresh deal in the next 48 hours.
But even if he does pen fresh terms at Old Trafford, he could find it difficult to force his way into the starting XI as he is not thought to fit Amorim’s 3-4-3 system.
Mainoo could be in line for his first appearance of the season when his side travel to Grimsby Town for a Carabao Cup clash on Wednesday evening.
And ahead of the match, Amorim insisted that all his players will be given an opportunity to show what they can do in a United shirt.
“They just need to fight for the places, and then everything can change,” the Portuguese coach explained. “Sometimes one is playing, in other moments other guys are going to play. And we have the cups, so we’re going to have a lot of games for everybody.
“We have three games this week, we have quality players, and we need to do rotation to try to win every game. All the players are available. Then we will make the choice to get the best starting XI to win every game.”