Kobbie Mainoo rejected chance to leave Manchester United for Premier League rival last summer

Kobbie Mainoo’s Manchester United career has had spectacular ups and downs already and could have come to an end last summer.

Still just 21 years old, the midfielder burst onto the scene so impressively in the 2023/24 season that he was starting for England at the European Championship that summer.

However, the departure of Erik ten Hag and arrival of Ruben Amorim as Red Devils manager was not to his benefit.

The Portuguese coach did not seem to rate Mainoo nearly as highly as many others did and the youngster found himself out of the starting XI, with a future suddenly uncertain.

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The turgid Amorim era came to an end in January and Mainoo was immediately back in the team, first under caretaker boss Darren Fletcher and then interim manager Michael Carrick.

He has been a consistently good performer ever since and will head to the World Cup with England this summer as a result, returning to his position as one of the brightest young talents in the Premier League.

Things could have been very different for Mainoo as he was heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford last summer and had the chance to do just that.

The Stockport-born star was open to a move away in search of game time, in fact he asked for one, but wanted it to be a loan switch.

The Athletic report that Chelsea made their interest clear in the summer of 2025, but wanted to sign Mainoo permanently, hoping to do so for around £40m.

The report states that Mainoo rejected that proposition, with the idea of a permanent switch to west London ‘holding no appeal’ to the midfielder.

Napoli were the other interested party, but a temporary or permanent move to Italy could not be agreed as Manchester United knew they would have to bring in a replacement if he left.

Amorim’s departure solved the problems for Mainoo as he was straight back into the starting XI after he left and has since signed a new long-term contract which runs until 2031.

The 21-year-old has also spoken glowingly about the influence of Carrick, who has now seen his interim role become permanent.

After scoring a rare goal in the 3-2 win over Liverpool in April, Mainoo said of United’s resurgence under the manager: ‘He’s [Carrick] played a huge part.

‘The confidence in not just me but all the players. You want to follow him and fight for him and die for him on the pitch. That’s what we showed today.’

He added on the Inside Carrington podcast: ‘You believe what he says, and you want to get behind him.

‘The information he has, you can believe every word, because he’s been here, through the ups and downs, as a United player. Especially for me, in my position, he helps me a lot. All the gems I get from him I take.’

Carrick has returned the compliments, saying: ‘I’ve been hugely impressed with Kobbie since I’ve been here.

‘I think I’ve known him for quite some time in different capacities, but I’ve certainly been aware of him for a long time. He epitomises this football club, you know? Young players coming through the Academy, who live and breathe the club and come through with real talent.’

المصدر: Metro UK