Manchester United’s squad could be in line for a reshuffle this summer following the emergence of young starlet Kobbie Mainoo.
The 18-year-old’s scintillating breakthrough campaign has seen him leapfrog his midfield counterparts in Erik ten Hag’s estimations.
Mainoo has now made 13 appearances in all competitions including nine Premier League starts, though that number would certainly be higher had he not spent the first quarter of the campaign sidelined with an ankle injury.
It remains to be seen what role the teenager plays when Ten Hag’s marquee signing of last summer, Mason Mount, is fit and available again, but for now, he’s keeping the likes of Sofyan Amrabat, Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay sat firmly on the bench.
The trio’s Old Trafford futures are somewhat up in the air; McTominay is highly rated by Ten Hag but it must be remembered that he came close to being sold last year and won’t settle for a rotational, off-the-bench role at this stage of his career.
As for Eriksen and Amrabat, the latter’s loan deal will not be extended beyond the end of the season, while the former was the subject of interest from Galatasaray in recent weeks and could opt for a new venture in the next window.
Journalist weighs in on United’s potential summer exits
Transfer journalist Dean Jones shared his understanding of the situation while speaking to GiveMeSport, explaining: “Mainoo is preferred to both Eriksen and Amrabat. I think it speaks a lot about the future of all three players. Mainoo is going to become a mainstay of this Man Utd team.
“Amrabat’s loan is not going to be extended beyond this season; Man Utd will not take up any option on that.
“Eriksen’s future is up in the air. He’s linked with Galatasaray at the moment but I don’t think that that deal will go through either on the player’s or United’s side for now.”
