Kobbie Mainoo wants to leave Manchester United before the transfer window slams shut, but Red Devils legend Rio Ferdinand hopes the midfielder will stay at Old Trafford
Rio Ferdinand has urged Kobbie Mainoo to stay at Manchester United after it emerged that the midfielder has told the club he wants to leave. Mirror Football understands that Napoli are ready to sign Mainoo and he is keen on the move.
However, United are mindful of the success Scott McTominay has had after joining Napoli last summer, with the Scotland international helping them win Serie A while earning himself a Ballon d’Or nomination.
Mainoo believes a move to Napoli could have the same effect on his career, but United have so far blocked his exit. And Ferdinand wants Mainoo to stay and fight for his place at Old Trafford.
In response to the news, Ferdinand said: « I don’t want to hear that. So Kobbie, if you’re watching, please don’t let me hear that, please man, I need you to stay at the club. Be patient please, I know it’s difficult. It’s easy for me to say, but I want to see you here.
« You couldn’t have bet me any money that after his exploits with England that we’d be sitting here going, ‘Kobbie Mainoo can’t get in the Man United team, they’re thinking about selling him and he wants to go’. »
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Mainoo has been an unused substitute in United’s opening Premier League games, with manager Ruben Amorim stating that the 20-year-old is competing with club captain Bruno Fernandes for a spot in the team.
« Mainoo is fighting for his position with Bruno, » Amorim said after United’s 1-1 draw with Fulham. « I changed two midfielders, I left Mason Mount there because we wanted to score a goal and when I changed, I felt the team needed one holding midfielder. So he needs to fight for his position with Bruno. At the moment he is fighting in training with Bruno for the position. »
Mainoo did make his first start of the season in United’s humiliating Carabao Cup defeat to League Two side Grimsby on Wednesday, but struggled to make much of an impact. And if he does end up staying at United, Ferdinand has urged Mainoo to make sure that he is ready to make the most of any opportunities he gets.
« We’ve all had these moments in our careers where you’re like, ‘S*** man, I’m not playing. What do I do?’ Well, the first thing you do is go to the manager and go, ‘What am I not doing that I need to be doing to get in this team?’ Right. He’s going to tell me. Then I go to work on a training pitch.
« Every day I go to work. I play up against whoever, Bruno [Fernandes] etc, and I start dominating them. Just that’s the type of mentality and mindset he has to go with. And then when the chance comes to play, take it with both hands.
« Now his argument right now will be I’m not getting the chance to take it. And that’s a fair argument. But what I would say is do not let the chance come and you’re not ready. So train hard, be focused. »
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