Gary Neville, Alex Ferguson and Rio Ferdinand have all paid tribute to Kobbie Mainoo last season. The teenager played with the maturity of a veteran and was one of United’s best players in several games. Even with fluctuating performances and injuries this season, it was described as crazy to sell Mainoo when the 20-year-old was suddenly linked to Chelsea in January. Four months later, it seems like a natural step to sell Mainoo.
United boss Ratcliffe has opened up for the sale of academy players who represent pure sales gains, Sir Alex Ferguson described Mainoo as “representative of the soul of Manchester United”. Rio Ferdinand was very surprised when he heard about the potential sale of Mainoo in January, the United legend pointed out that Garnacho could easily be replaced, not Mainoo.
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Since the New Year, Mainoo has started in only three games since returning in April from a two-month injury absence.
In the biggest games, Amorim have overlooked Mainoo, on Wednesday we saw it again when Mainoo conceded to the final arena with only minutes left on the clock. Especially the final tells what position the former academy player has at Amorim. Against Lyon in the quarter-finals, he saved United with a goal during his 37 minutes on the pitch, against Tottenham he didn’t have time to break a sweat.
There is no doubt that Mainoo has exceptional skills in midfield, perfect for ball possession football, but less valuable in Amorim’s system.
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With Manchester United without Champions League revenue next season and a Mainoo with potential sales income of around £40 million, who will not be able to play to their strengths in Amorim’s system, this smells of a sale this summer.
