Man Utd must keep Kobbie Mainoo after the McTominay lesson.
Under pressure in the January transfer window, Man Utd need to prioritize keeping Kobbie Mainoo amid interest from Napoli and Juventus, avoiding a repeat of the mistake of selling Scott McTominay for £27 million.
Manchester United's biggest decision in January wasn't a blockbuster signing. It was keeping Kobbie Mainoo at Old Trafford, amidst the young midfielder's desire to leave on loan and interest from Napoli and Juventus. The lesson from Scott McTominay – who left Man Utd for £27 million and then flourished – remains fresh in everyone's minds.
The McTominay lesson: a wrong judgment can be very costly.
In 2024, Man Utd sold Scott McTominay to Napoli for £27 million. Since leaving Old Trafford, the Scottish midfielder has transformed, winning the Serie A title, being nominated for the Ballon d'Or, and contributing to numerous goals. This was one of the most disastrous transfer mistakes of the modern era at Man Utd: misjudging potential and letting go too soon.
Mainoo was overshadowed because of its system, not because it lacked potential.
Kobbie Mainoo scored in the FA Cup final and was named in the EURO 2024 squad. Under Ruben Amorim, his playing time decreased significantly, leading to a desire to leave on loan. But his potential hasn't disappeared; it's just been temporarily obscured by tactical changes.
Current state of the midfield: Casemiro is 33 years old, Bruno Fernandes plays a deeper role.
The midfield problems are clear. Amorim has to rely on a 33-year-old Casemiro and pull Bruno Fernandes deep from his preferred position, weakening the attack in the final third. Ideally, a top-class defensive midfielder like Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson would help balance the structure. But a price tag of over £100 million makes this option almost impossible in January.
Tactical perspective: Why is Mainoo a piece worth keeping?
In the absence of a top-class anchor at the bottom of the midfield, dropping Bruno Fernandes deeper is only a temporary solution. Keeping Mainoo allows Man Utd to maintain rotation and redistribute roles: Bruno can return closer to goal, and Casemiro can reduce his defensive workload. With his early-game ball-building qualities demonstrated in top-level matches, Mainoo can bring fluidity to breaking down pressure and linking the midfield.
Market deadlock and the risks of “short-term solutions”
Even if the budget allows, buying a defensive midfielder for over £100 million mid-season is a difficult task. Sending Mainoo out on loan to fill the gap with a temporary solution could easily disrupt the mid-term structure – a cycle Man Utd has paid the price for before.
If Mainoo is let go: the potential cost.
- We lose squad depth during a period when players may be absent due to the Africa Cup of Nations.
- The risk of repeating the “McTominay effect”: misjudging the developmental stage of young players.
- Impact on the academy's messaging: prioritizing short-term goals over long-term development paths.
Decision for January
In the unstable atmosphere following results like the Everton defeat, the pressure on Ruben Amorim is immense. But the wisest choice isn't an expensive signing. It's about convincing Kobbie Mainoo to stay, affirming his role in the second half of the season, and sending a strategic message: Man Utd have learned from their mistakes, are patient with their gem instead of pursuing quick fixes.
If they succeed, Man Utd will not only retain a crucial tactical option but also protect themselves against the worst-case scenario: witnessing another talent leave and then shine elsewhere.
