Manchester United name Kobbie Mainoo indispensable after breakthrough

Manchester United have made 21‑year‑old Kobbie Mainoo effectively undroppable, with the midfielder cementing a first‑team place after a dominant Champions League debut against Sabah, despite the club having been ready to sell him for £40m just twelve months ago.

Why United backed Mainoo

The Red Devils overhauled their midfield this summer, adding Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba while repositioning Mason Mount deeper. Mainoo’s performance against Sabah, where he linked play and covered ground, convinced Michael Carrick that the home‑grown talent could anchor the side. He later joined Barnet FC’s social media team, launched a football‑and‑MMA website, and moved on to Reach Media, adding work for, Daily Record, Daily Express and Manchester Evening News. After two‑and‑a‑half years with Breaking Media covering Everton, Rangers, Leeds and West Ham, he became Premier League editor at GiveMeSport. Add Us, Log in – now his story is told.