Manchester United, Mainoo and a feeling of sadness
Also the open transfer window puts an asterisk on opening games
It will be sad to see Kobbie Mainoo leave Manchester United if Ruben Amorim and Ineos do move him on. United must never lose that connection with their celebrated, historic academy, stretching back to the Thirties. There’s a corridor at Carrington adorned with images of those who grew up at United, and stepped up so famously into the first team, from the class of George Best and Bobby Charlton to the Class of 92.
Loved by fans, and elemental to United’s DNA, the dream factory nurturing talents needs a first-team coach who understands the importance of maintaining that link, and keeping that production line rolling. In the week that United announced the appointment of Brentford’s Stephen Torpey as their new academy director, they could be losing one of the academy poster boys.
Mainoo’s one of their own, a local lad, joining Cheadle & Gatley Junior Football Club at four and Failsworth Dynamos at six, and United at seven. He also played for Manchester Futsal where he developed his control and decision-making under pressure. Mainoo was capped 10 times for England as a teenager. A year ago, you couldn’t move for positive pieces about Mainoo following his impact under Gareth Southgate. He started all four of England’s Euro 2024 knock-out games, including the final. So what’s happened?