As is always the case, there is plenty of noise surrounding Manchester United at the moment.
On the pitch, they have just one point from their opening two games, and no United player has scored a goal.
Meanwhile, off the pitch, there has been plenty of noise regarding the future of a number of players.
One of those players is Kobbie Mainoo.
The 20-year old has not played a single minute in either of the opening two games – an unused sub in both.
It is one thing not starting a game – it is another not even getting cameos from the bench.
That will be hard to take at any point for Mainoo, but especially not in a World Cup year.
Thomas Tuchel names his squad for September’s qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia this Friday.
At this moment in time, it feels unlikely that Mainoo is going to be part of that squad.
It seems as if Sunday was a breaking point for him.
According to Jamie Jackson, the midfielder wants to leave the club.
He says that he has been “squeezed to the margins” by Ruben Amorim.
As per his report, United would countenance a suitable deal, but there may be a lack of attractive suitors this late into the window.
Even last season, Mainoo was not a regular under Amorim.
The Europa League final saw just a stoppage time cameo. April was the last time he started consecutive games.
This feels a real shame after such a rapid rise in the 23/24 season.
Mainoo scored and was awarded man of the match as United won the 2024 FA Cup final.
He then impressed for England at the Euros, starting the final against Spain in Berlin.
To then get pity minutes in the Europa League final a year later would not have been expected at the time.
Nor would two games as an unused sub to start the following season.
You can be sure that Mainoo loves United. But you can probably also be sure that he loves football more.
For the sake of his own career, a move may well be the best thing for him.
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