--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-06-09T18:32:02.862Z last_updated: 2026-06-09T11:34:37+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/manchester-united/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubWFuY2hlc3RlcmV2ZW5pbmduZXdzLmNvLnVrL3Nwb3J0L2Zvb3RiYWxsL21hbmNoZXN0ZXItdW5pdGVkLWJlZW4tZ2l2ZW4tcmVtaW5kZXItMzQwODgxMDE --- # Man United have been given a reminder of how close they came to transfer blunder - **Source:** - **Published:** 9 Jun - **Club:** Manchester United - **Original URL:** https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester-united-been-given-reminder-34088101 Mainoo had not long turned 19 when he was included in the squad for Euro 2024, but having started the tournament on the periphery and been a substitute in the group stage, he ended it as a regular starter, starting all four knockout games. At that time, Mainoo looked like the golden boy of the English midfield, but he has lost ground over the last two years. Ruben Amorim's ignorance of Mainoo's qualities meant he played only sparingly for the Portuguese head coach, especially in the first half of last season. Get the best United news, updates and analysis straight to your Inbox courtesy of the Manchester Evening News! To get it, it's a simple one-two punch. As a result, he saw other young English midfielders move ahead of him. Adam Wharton was behind Mainoo in that Euro 2024 squad, but looked to have jumped the Stockport-born youngster last season. Elliot Anderson wasn't even in the squad two years ago, but is now nailed on to start alongside Declan Rice in Tuchel's midfield. The good news for Mainoo is that United's decision to sack Amorim at the start of January and bring in former United midfielder in Michael Carrick has worked out perfectly for him. Within a couple of weeks, he went from looking for a mid-season loan to Napoli to an integral part of his boyhood team again. Having not started a Premier League game until the middle of January, Mainoo's form in the second half of the season was so good that he was recalled to the England squad in March, having not been included since September 2024. The 21-year-old got better as the season progressed and ended the campaign in the form of his life, delivering all-action midfield displays that showed how much his game has developed from the teenager who was outstanding on the ball but not always aware of his defensive duties. That looked to be a thing of the past towards the end of this season and Mainoo can now combine outstanding technical ability with a greater strength in midfield, while his reading of the game and awareness of what's happening around him have also developed. His performances saw him overtake Wharton for a place in England's 26-man World Cup squad. Mainoo might well be the next cab off the rank in midfield, behind Anderson and Rice. That duo have formed an impressive partnership but in the heat of North America, the United youngster will get a chance. There was a reminder of just how impressive he is when full-back Tino Livramento appeared on England's in-house media show, Lions' Den, this week and spoke about Mainoo's qualities. “One thing that's like, seeing Kobbie play two-touch. He's so good at two-touch. He'd be passing it or flicking it with his ankle and that," said the Newcastle United man. It's a reminder of how close United came to losing the gem of their academy in recent years. Had Amorim not been sacked in January, Mainoo might well have left. Not on a permanent deal, but it seemed unlikely that the head coach and midfielder could co-exist forever at Old Trafford. One was going to have to make away. Thankfully, for United and Mainoo, it was Amorim. Back in a 4-2-3-1 and playing alongside the experience of Casemiro, Mainoo excelled for United. He will need to develop a new partnership next season, and if United get their way, it would be alongside Anderson. For now, Mainoo's sights might be trained on Anderson and launching a challenge for his place in Tuchel's strongest team. Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.