Football can be a cruel mistress at times, with players able to enjoy a meteoric rise, before coming crashing back down to earth with a bump – just ask Manchester United’s, Kobbie Mainoo.
It was less than a year ago that the teenage midfielder was the darling of English football amid his role in the Three Lions’ surge to the Euro 2024 final, with the United academy graduate starting every knockout stage game for Gareth Southgate’s side.
The now 19-year-old had only made his first Premier League start midway through the 2023/24 season, after putting in a Man of the Match display away at Everton in late November, yet was quickly able to establish himself as a central figure both for his club and for his county.
Indeed, the local hero memorably scored what proved to be the decisive goal in May’s FA Cup final triumph over rivals Manchester City, having rounded off a stunning, sweeping move from the rampant Red Devils.
From such highs, however, Mainoo found himself absent from the latest derby encounter at the weekend, with the playmaker edging his way back to fitness amid what has been an injury-hit campaign at Old Trafford.
Doubts emerging over his future at the club – following talk of a stall in contract talks – have been added to by question marks over Mainoo’s suitability for Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 setup, with that uncertainty only set to be heightened by the latest transfer reports.
Latest on Man Utd’s search for a midfielder
The midfield ranks could be in need of something of an overhaul this summer, even with the signing of Manuel Ugarte last year, with Christian Eriksen looking set to depart amid the impending expiry of his contract, while fellow veteran, Casemiro, remains linked with an exit.
As such, there remains the need for Amorim to be handed at least one new addition to bolster that department, with GIVEMESPORT reporting that the INEOS regime are ready to sign Atalanta star, Ederson.
As per the report, United are believed to have the Brazilian ‘in their sights’ ahead of the looming summer window, should they qualify for the Champions League, with Amorim seeking a suitable partner to Ugarte in the centre of the park.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The suggestion is that the 25-year-old would command a fee of around £52m if he were to leave the Serie A side, with the piece noting that the Red Devils will not ‘pay over the odds’ to get the deal done.
Having been part of the side that claimed Europa League glory against a then-unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen last season, Ederson could represent a worthwhile addition for the Old Trafford outfit ahead of next term.
Why Ederson’s signing would be bad news for Mainoo
Not only would the signing of a new midfielder perhaps enhance talk regarding the potential sale of Mainoo – who has been linked with a move to Chelsea – it would also throw into doubt the Englishman’s place in the starting lineup, were he to stay put in Manchester.
The 2022 FA Youth Cup winner had made his mark last season under Erik ten Hag while operating as a deep-lying midfielder or in a number eight berth, albeit with Amorim seemingly uneasy with deploying the teenager as part of his own midfield two, after stating that Mainoo had been “struggling a lot defensively” following his arrival.
Those defensive woes had led the Portuguese coach to push Mainoo into a number ten berth, prior to his injury setback, with the youngster notably scoring and assisting in that role against FCSB in January.
Whether that can be a permanent home remains to be seen, however, particularly with United already boasting the likes of Amad, Mason Mount, Alejandro Garnacho, Joshua Zirkzee and Bruno Fernandes, who are all more natural fits as one of the two number tens.
Mainoo then may have to fight his way back into contention in a deeper role, albeit with Ederson perhaps likely to represent a better fit for what Amorim wants, with The Athletic’s Carl Anka previously outling that the ‘central midfielders in Amorim’s 3-4-3 are chosen for their athleticism and tackling qualities first and foremost’.
|
Ederson’s Serie A season in numbers |
|
|---|---|
|
Stat (*per game |
Record) |
|
Games (starts) |
30 (27) |
|
Goals |
3 |
|
Assists |
1 |
|
Big chances created |
6 |
|
Key passes* |
1.0 |
|
Pass accuracy* |
88% |
|
Tackles* |
1.5 |
|
Interceptions* |
1.1 |
|
Ball recoveries* |
5.2 |
|
Total duels won* |
55% |
|
Possession lost* |
10.5 |
|
Stats via Sofascore |
|
Those are traits which the Atalanta man has in abundance, with former England boss Fabio Capello describing him as “out of this world” due to his “ability to combine running, physicality, technique and intelligence”.
The right-footer – who has scored three goals and registered one assist in 30 Serie A games in 2024/25 – has showcased that ball-winning prowess after averaging 5.2 recoveries per game in the league this season, while having been dribbled past just 0.3 times per game.
Mainoo, by contrast, averages just four ball recoveries from his 18 Premier League outings, having also been dribbled past 0.7 times per appearance – outlining those defensive ‘struggles’ that Amorim alluded to.
Not managing to find a home in his side for a “generational” talent like Mainoo – as hailed by teammate Rasmus Hojlund – may appear a mistake, yet for what the 40-year-old is trying to do with his 3-4-3 set-up, it is Ederson who seemingly fits the bill.
Described as a “machine” by journalist Carlo Garganese last term, the £52m man could be just what is needed to revitalise this struggling United side.
Related
10 midfielders Man Utd could sign to replace Casemiro
The Brazilian could soon be on the way out of Old Trafford.
