Kobbie Mainoo is not guaranteed to remain at Manchester United despite the sacking of Ruben Amorim and still wants assurances before committing his future to his boyhood club.
After making a stunning breakthrough under Erik ten Hag, the gifted midfielder struggled to win over the Dutchman’s successor.
A move to Chelsea was touted in the summer but the two clubs failed to agree a fee and, as a result, Mainoo was forced to endure a bit-part role under Amorim.
The 20-year-old appeared destined for a loan in January in a bit to boost his fading hopes of securing a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England World Cup squad, but a brighter future at Old Trafford now appears to be on the cards following Amorim’s sudden departure.
Reports earlier this week suggested Mainoo would be offered the chance to relaunch his United career under Darren Fletcher, but the Sun claim there are no guarantees.
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‘Amorim leaving definitely increases the chances of Kobbie staying at United,’ said a source. ‘But it’s not a given.
‘He wants assurances from officials about how they see him fitting into the squad and the first team.’
Mainoo’s current contract expires in 18 month’s time and negotiations over a new deal stalled while Amorim was in charge but he could look to reassess if regular first team football is back on the menu.
While there might be an immediate rush of relief for Mainoo, former United striker Michael Owen, meanwhile, insists the hard work begins now with ‘no excuses’ left if he fails to reclaim his place.
‘By the very fact that Amorim has gone, you would think that he’s going to get a lot more opportunity to play, but that’s where the positive for him ends in many ways,’ Owen told Metro via online casino experts, casino.org.
‘Now it’s down to Mainoo. It’s all right blaming people, but of course, his time is now going to come and he’s got to take it.
‘He’s got to take that opportunity because if the next manager doesn’t play him and the next manager doesn’t bring him on much, then at some point, a little bit like Marcus Rashford, those doubts might start to creep in.
‘He’ll be thinking, “Am I playing well? Am I listening to the information I’m getting? Am I disciplined? Am I all of these things?”
‘Right now, he will be one of the happiest people about, but now it’s going to be squarely on his toes, and there’s no hiding place or excuses.
‘He’s got to now prove that Amorim was wrong by not playing him as much. He’s probably going to get that opportunity, so we’ll see.’
