Kobbie Mainoo issued a ‘worrying’ Manchester United reminder amid Newcastle transfer rumours

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has been linked with a move to Newcastle United this week.

Kobbie Mainoo’s lack of game time at Manchester United this season has raised major doubts for him. The 20-year-old has not started a single Premier League game for the Reds this season and was selected on the bench for Sunday’s 3-0 defeat at Manchester City.

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With Ruben Amorim’s team looking for a way back into the game, Mainoo was introduced in the 62nd minute and made an immediate impact. During his time on the pitch, England international Mainoo had 25 touches, completed two critical passes, had a 100% success rate with 17 passes, won three out of three duels, and dribbled once.

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Some United fans have called for the Stockport-born talent to start against Chelsea on Saturday, as the Reds aim to win only their second game this season. He has only played 73 minutes of Premier League football this season, appearing as an unused substitute against Arsenal and Fulham.

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Former Arsenal and Aston Villa player Paul Merson gave his assessment on Mainoo, telling Sky Sports: “If you’re him and you’re sitting there watching that and not playing, something is wrong.”

“I’m not sure what’s going on in training or behind the scenes, but the child has to be asking himself serious questions about why he’s not on that football team.

“He came on the other day against Manchester City, and I thought he did well; at the very least, he tried. But he should be playing for them from the start, and I’m not sure why.

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“For me, it’s quite frightening because the kid has skill, he’s a Manchester United lad who has worked his way up the ranks, and he’s not playing. “He is the only one who can answer that.”

Last month, Mainoo indicated his wish to quit United by the end of the summer window. The Reds denied his plea, and he remained at Old Trafford beyond the transfer deadline.

On Tuesday, talkSPORT reported that Newcastle are monitoring Mainoo’s status for a prospective trade. Eddie Howe is known to be a fan, and he is considering testing United’s resolve in January.

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Merson is hardly the first commentator to question Mainoo’s game time at Old Trafford. Indeed, Gary Lineker delivered his verdict on the England international on Monday, noting that his inability to break into the United starting lineup is troubling.

Lineker expressed concern about Kobbie Mainoo’s dismissal during an interview with The Rest Is Football podcast. He’s an exceptional young talent who is also a local boy doing very well.

“I mean, I felt when he came on, he performed quite well. I don’t understand it. I’m not sure if there’s something we don’t know about, but it’s a little perplexing to me.

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