Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho’s careers were tied together until summer 2025 changed everything.
Back in late 2020, Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho made their Manchester United under-18s debuts in the same game.
Two years later the duo started as Manchester United’s young guns won the FA Youth Cup Final 3-1 at Old Trafford.
Then in 2024, Garnacho and Mainoo scored the goals for Manchester United’s first team at Wembley in a 2-1 FA Cup Final win over City.
It was the dream rise, but two years on in 2026, the pair are looking at very different circumstances in their careers.
Kobbie Mainoo’s new contract is OFFICIAL – let’s hear your instant reaction!!!
We nearly lost him…!
Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho’s woes under Ruben Amorim
Erik ten Hag’s sacking at Manchester United in late 2024 was a blow for both Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho. The Dutchman had handed both players their debuts.
Ruben Amorim was unconvinced about both players. He omitted both players from the Europa League Final at the end of the 2024/25 season.
Alejandro Garnacho did not handle the situation well. He blasted Amorim’s choice with an interview with the Argentine press, and also took a dig on social media.
Mainoo played even fewer minutes than Garnacho from the bench in the final, yet kept a diplomatic silence.
Garnacho pushed for an exit and was granted one. Manchester United sold him to Chelsea.
Mainoo was also growing exasperated at his situation but did not cause a fuss. He was open to a loan move late in the summer transfer window, but United refused to sanction it.
We did not get the chance to see how the January transfer window would have played out for Mainoo under Amorim, but it is not likely that United would have let him go without a replacement arriving.
Just five days into January, Amorim was sacked as Manchester United head coach, and Mainoo got the chance to restart his career.
His patience paid off. What if Alejandro Garnacho had just been patient and worked behind the scenes, without the sniping?
The celebration at Kobbie Mainoo’s new deal should be a lesson to Garnacho, that he should have handled the situation far better.
Mainoo will have been distraught at his own treatment under Amorim at times. He was not selected to start a single league game this season.
You did not hear him complain once. He kept his professionalism at all times publicly, despite being treated with more disdain than Garnacho ever was.
If Elliot Anderson is £125m… What is Kobbie Mainoo’s market value right now?
Not that he's going anywhere…🔒
Mainoo celebrated, Garnacho mocked
Alejandro Garnacho’s spell at Chelsea has not worked out very well for him at all. There is speculation that he could already be sold this coming summer. He has scored only one league goal all season.
After Chelsea’s 1-0 home defeat to Manchester United, Garnacho was mocked and roundly criticised. It was a sign that he clearly did not endear himself to his former teammates and the club’s support.
Garnacho was simply too impatient, and badly advised. He did not handle his setback well.
Mainoo kept a more level head, and he is now back to hitting the heights he previously did in a Manchester United shirt.
The young midfielder has now signed a new contract keeping him at Manchester United until summer 2031.
Mainoo’s deal has been welcomely received. He has been inundated with public messages from current and former teammates. Garnacho is not yet among them.
He probably can’t bear to look. The celebration at Mainoo’s new deal only serves to highlight his own bad choices and impatience.
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