January is looming, with all the talk at Manchester United centred on the prospect of potential midfield moves for the likes of Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton, with Ruben Amorim in desperate need of reinforcements in that department.
As Class of 92 hero Nicky Butt recently suggested, however, if – like that young pair – Kobbie Mainoo was operating for another Premier League side, he is the type of talent that the Red Devils would be dishing out £50m or £60m for.
The youngest of the trio, it was of course Mainoo who was England’s midfield golden boy just 18 months ago, starting every knockout stage game at Euro 2024, including the final.
Wharton, meanwhile, watched on as an unused member of Gareth Southgate’s squad that summer, while Anderson had not yet entered the conversation, having remained with the U21 set-up until this season.
It’s funny and also frustrating just how things can change, with Mainoo now seemingly staring down the barrel of a World Cup omission and a perhaps inevitable 2026 exit from Old Trafford.
Manchester United lodge bid for new midfielder
It’s become a familiar sight this season, with the 20-year-old merely introduced as a late second-half substitute under Amorim, just as he was again in the dying embers against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Yet to start a single league game in 2025/26, questions continue to be asked regarding the Portuguese’s treatment of the academy graduate, with rumours rife over a January departure.
Whether it be on loan or on a permanent basis, the forgotten talent has routinely been linked with an exit, with a reunion with Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund at Napoli having been mooted.
Back in Manchester, Mainoo’s hopes of game time might be dented even further if reinforcements are added next month, with reports in Spain suggesting that INEOS have already begun to make moves, amid their reported interest in Conor Gallagher.
As per the report, United are said to have lodged an offer of around £30m in order to sign the Atletico Madrid man, with the LaLiga side said to be willing to sanction a sale.
The suggestion is that the £30m bid is close to what Atleti would deem to be a ‘reasonable price’, ensuring that a relatively routine deal could be struck when the new year rolls around.
Why Gallagher's signing would be bad news for Mainoo
Whether it is his ideal position or not, Bruno Fernandes – who moved above Paul Scholes on United’s Premier League assist list at the weekend – is nailed on to start in one of the two midfield roles under Amorim.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
That has left Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte and Mainoo to fight it out for that remaining starting berth, with the former Sporting CP boss thus far putting his faith in the 33-year-old Brazilian, who has started 11 league games this time around.
Mainoo, for what it’s worth, does appear to have nudged ahead of Ugarte in the pecking order, considering the Uruguayan hasn’t even got off the bench in the last two outings, although Gallagher’s addition could again knock him back down the list of priorities.
Despite the former Chelsea man’s limitations in possession – notably ranking in the bottom 30% of European midfielders for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref – he does appear to be a ready-made Amorim midfielder, such are his physical capabilities.
Previously hailed as like “[N’Golo] Kante with goals” by talkSPORT’s Tony Cascarino – while also dubbed a “monster” as per Tom Dutton – the England international is simply relentless in the centre of the park, representing arguably the perfect fit for this 3-4-2-1 system.
Games (starts)
37 (37)
Goals
5
Assists
7
Big chances created
11
Key passes*
1.4
Pass accuracy*
92%
Total duels won*
50%
Balls recovered*
6.0
Tackles & interceptions*
3.5
Indeed, compared to his peers in Europe’s top five leagues, he also ranks in the top 4% for interceptions made per 90, while Mainoo, remarkably, ranks in just the bottom 1%.
The beauty of Mainoo is of course what he can do at the top end of the pitch, ranking in the top 4% for touches in the attacking penalty area, although Gallagher is no slouch in that regard too, ranking in the top 9% for that same metric.
Also in the top 12% for non-penalty goals, the one-time Crystal Palace loanee has recorded 12 goals and assists in 70 games during his stint in the Spanish capital. For comparison, Mainoo has recorded just ten goals and assists in 82 senior games at United.
All-action but with an end product to match, as was evident during his time at Stamford Bridge, Gallagher – at £30m – could represent a wise, bargain choice heading into 2026, at a time when fresh legs are desperately needed in the centre of the park.
In an ideal world, Mainoo would be leading the charge as the centre-piece of United’s midfield, but sadly for the youngster, Amorim’s demands and requirements might lend themselves to a more physically suitable asset like Gallagher instead.
Amorim can fix Man Utd's midfield by axing Casemiro for "future £100m" star
This Man Utd ace could be the solution to their midfield issues
ByJoe Nuttall Dec 3, 2025