Wayne Rooney has opened up on Kobbie Mainoo’s future at Old Trafford and what he saw from the Manchester United star against Manchester City on Sunday.
Kobbie Mainoo has been left fighting for Manchester United first-team minutes under Ruben Amorim after sliding down the midfield pecking order at Old Trafford.
The 20-year-old Stockport-born midfielder has not made a single Premier League start this season, with Mainoo left on the bench for the opening two league matches.
Both of Mainoo’s Premier League appearances for United — against Burnley and Manchester City — in the 2025-26 campaign have come as a second-half substitute.
The England international has only made one start across all competitions this season after he played the full 90 minutes in United’s defeat to Grimsby Town.
Mainoo impressed against Grimsby Town and picked up an assist, despite United crashing out of the second round of the Carabao Cup competition in August.
Wayne Rooney reacts to Kobbie Mainoo’s uncertain Man Utd future after the Premier League defeat to Man City
Kobbie Mainoo’s future at Manchester United has been bleak in recent weeks and it is believed that the Red Devils talent wanted to make a shock transfer move away.
The United youth academy product reportedly sought a loan move in the summer to secure regular first-team football for the 2025-26 Premier League campaign.
However, United denied Mainoo’s exit from Old Trafford and the Red Devils want the Three Lions star to fight for his place in Ruben Amorim’s starting XI at the club.
Mainoo’s lack of minutes for United has already caught up with the midfielder, who was left out of the England squad under Thomas Tuchel for the international break.
Speaking after United’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, Red Devils legend Wayne Rooney admitted that Mainoo’s desire to leave Old Trafford was a worrying sign.
“Like Kobbie Mainoo, he didn’t get a move away,” he said on BBC Sport’s The Wayne Rooney Show.
“I’ve seen [that] apparently he asked for a loan move, which that’s concerning.
“If an 18-year-old [actually 19 years old] lad from Manchester is asking to leave the club, that’s very concerning.”
Man Utd icon Wayne Rooney breaks down Kobbie Mainoo’s performance against Man City at the Etihad
Mainoo came off the bench for United in the 62nd minute on Sunday and replaced defender Noussair Mazraoui during the Manchester derby clash at the Etihad.
The Three Lions international put in a steady shift for the Red Devils and United fans felt that Mainoo was one of the standout players in the second half of the match.
United legend Rooney has now suggested that Mainoo might be a “bit annoyed and frustrated” and felt that the out-of-favour star could have shown more on the pitch.
“But he [Mainoo] come on the pitch and he’s jogging around,” he continued.
“He’s jogging around and we know what potential he’s got. He might be a bit annoyed and frustrated, but you’re coming on at the Etihad against Man City, you want to see more.
“And if you want to get in the team, you want to see more. So, I think there’s a clear lack of leadership in there.
“And if when that is the case, whatever leaders you [have] got in there, you have to put them on the pitch.”
A first-half opener from Phil Foden and a second-half brace from Erling Haaland sealed City’s comfortable 3-0 win over United in the Premier League on Sunday.
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