Kobbie Mainoo wants to leave MU, with Real Madrid and Atletico stepping in

27/08/2025 10:32:00 FieldFrenzy

Young talent Kobbie Mainoo is becoming the center of attention in the transfer market as he has expressed his wish to leave Manchester United before the summer 2025 transfer window closes on September 1st.

The 20-year-old midfielder, once a great hope for Old Trafford, has not featured at all in the first two matches of the 2025/26 Premier League season against Arsenal and Fulham. His lack of impact under the management of Ruben Amorim has put Mainoo in a tough spot, making him consider looking for chances elsewhere. According to the Daily Mail, the Spanish giants Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are closely watching the situation and are prepared to make a move before the transfer deadline.

Mainoo was a shining star for Manchester United in the 2023/24 season, scoring in the unexpected FA Cup final victory over Manchester City and starting in England’s Euro 2024 final against Spain. However, his career has stalled since Amorim implemented a 3-4-3 formation, where Mainoo does not fit well as a central midfielder. Coach Amorim openly stated that Mainoo is competing for a spot with captain Bruno Fernandes, a battle that is hard to win as Fernandes nearly always plays the full 90 minutes. "He is fighting for a position with Bruno. Sometimes they play together, but right now he has to work hard in training," Amorim said after the 1-1 draw with Fulham.

Mainoo wants to leave MU

Mainoo’s fall from favor became even clearer when he was relegated to a substitute role after returning from injury in December 2024. Contract renewal talks, with his contract expiring in 2027, have also stalled, fueling rumors of a departure. The Daily Mail revealed that Manchester United will decide Mainoo’s future within 48 hours, possibly allowing him to leave if a suitable offer arrives. However, the club is reluctant to let Mainoo go on loan due to having only four central midfielders in the squad. A permanent transfer is preferred, although the tight timeline may make finding the ideal destination difficult.

Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, both competing in the Champions League, are considered attractive destinations for Mainoo, who is eager to play on such a prestigious stage. Real, under Xabi Alonso’s leadership, is considering a one-season loan deal, especially as they are about to part ways with Dani Ceballos. Atletico is also interested but would need to offload some players to make room for Mainoo. Additionally, several Premier League clubs such as Tottenham, Brighton, Fulham, and Brentford are monitoring the situation, but Mainoo reportedly prefers a move abroad to seek new challenges, similar to Jude Bellingham or Harry Kane.

However, Manchester United is in no rush to let Mainoo go. With the new season just beginning, Amorim believes he can still play an important role as the schedule becomes more congested. Nonetheless, Mainoo’s impatience, combined with interest from Real and Atletico, is putting significant pressure on United’s management. If they fail to reintegrate Mainoo into the starting lineup soon, they risk losing a talent once regarded as the club’s future.

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