Kobbie Mainoo has started doing an interesting thing to fit in with his United teammates.
Mainoo, 19, has endured a difficult season so far and did not get his campaign underway until late October after he suffered an ankle injury in July.
He has failed to replicate the impressive performances he put in during his breakout season in 2023/24.
Last season his good form, scoring huge goals against Liverpool in the Premier League as well as the winner in the 2-1 FA Cup final win against Manchester City, earned him a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024.
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He even started the final against Spain.
However, his latest performance against Liverpool in the 2-2 draw at Anfield on Sunday was arguably his best showing of the season so far.
He partnered Manuel Ugarte at the heart of United’s midfield and got the better of Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch for most of the game.
And United fans will be hoping Ugarte, 23, and Mainoo can form a lasting partnership which could propel them forward this season.
However, on Sunday, The Athletic’s David Ornstein issued a worrying update on the England international’s future when speaking on NBC.
“If a departure is going to happen [for Rashford], a sale in particular, maybe it’s more likely in the summer, but it would represent pure profit, something we hear about so much because he was an academy graduate,” said Ornstein.
“In the same way that Kobbie Mainoo might be, he’s out of contract in 2027 – no news on a new deal.”
However, there is no suggestion from Mainoo or the club that the player is set to leave anytime soon. And considering what he is doing off the pitch to improve his communication with teammates it suggests he will likely remain at the club. But he has been linked with a shock move to Chelsea.
According to the MEN, United have eight Spanish-speaking players including the likes of Ugarte, Lisandro Martinez and Alejandro Garnacho.
The report claims that Mainoo has “started taking lessons” to learn the language which would improve his communication with his teammates. Although many of the Spanish-speaking players also speak conversational level English.
Topics: Manchester United, Kobbie Mainoo, Premier League, Liverpool, FA Cup, England, Transfers
Luke Davies