Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has received a stark warning that his exiled midfielder, Kobbie Mainoo, could rediscover his best form with a surprising move to rivals Arsenal.
Mainoo's Frustrating Season at Old Trafford
The 20-year-old England international has yet to start a single Premier League match this season, a clear indication he has fallen down the pecking order since Amorim's arrival. Mainoo enjoyed a spectacular breakout campaign under previous boss Erik ten Hag, a season that culminated in him starting for England in the Euro 2024 final.
However, Amorim has consistently preferred to partner Bruno Fernandes with either Casemiro or Manuel Ugarte in a two-man midfield, leaving Mainoo on the sidelines. Having managed just 138 minutes of league football this term, the young midfielder is expected to push for an exit when the transfer window reopens in January.
North London Tipped as Perfect Destination
While Italian side Napoli and Chelsea have shown interest, former Arsenal midfielder Stefan Schwarz believes the Emirates Stadium is the ideal environment for Mainoo. "Arsenal have the best conditions for young players," Schwarz told Hajper. "And they have a manager in Mikel Arteta that is not afraid to give responsibility to them and give them opportunities when he feels they are ready."
Schwarz, who played for the Gunners in the mid-90s, praised the club's track record of youth development, adding: "It’s just about preparing them in the best way and that’s what Arsenal have done very well the last couple of years."
January Exit Looms as Amorim Acknowledges Unrest
Amorim himself has hinted that he expects squad unrest in the new year, telling reporters: "I don’t know what is going to happen. A lot of things can happen, even in our club. You know that we have World Cup, some players are not playing, they will ask to leave, so I have to manage everything."
This follows a summer where Mainoo sought a loan move to boost his chances of making England's World Cup squad, a request that was refused by the Red Devils.
If a shock move to Arsenal materialised, Mainoo would join a stacked midfield including Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, and Mikel Merino. Schwarz was particularly effusive in his praise for Rice, highlighting his leadership, versatility, and consistent performance. "If he was to get injured it would be a huge setback," Schwarz noted, "they could cope in the short term thanks to the size of the squad but losing him for a couple of games wouldn’t be a problem."
With the January window fast approaching, all eyes will be on whether Mainoo forces a departure from Old Trafford in pursuit of the regular first-team football he desperately needs.
