Manchester United cannot part ways with Kobbie Mainoo under any circumstance – he’s key for the club winning trophies in the future.
That’s the view of club legend John O’Shea, who has had his say on the academy graduate amid the youngster’s uncertain future.
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talkSPORT understands that Mainoo would consider leaving Old Trafford in the final week of the transfer window.
It is believed that if United receive any suitable offers for the midfielder, he may look for a move away from his boyhood side.
Mainoo, who has so far failed to agree to a new contract with the Red Devils, would prefer to join a Champions League club.
He has played no part in United’s opening two Premier League fixtures, remaining an unused substitute in both games.
And now rumours of an exit are swirling, with Newcastle holding a long-term interest and Chelsea previously interested.
But O’Shea, who won 14 trophies during his spell at the Theatre of Dreams, doesn’t think United should sell the 20-year-old, who he believes can play a major part in the club’s future success.
What has John O’Shea said about Kobbie Mainoo?
The ex-defender told talkSPORT Breakfast: “He’s a quality player, United cannot afford to be losing him or selling him for any reason whatsoever.
“He’s definitely part of the future of the club and he’s going to be successful without a doubt.”
O’Shea also discussed recent comments from manager Ruben Amorim, after he explained why Mainoo hadn’t featured.
On the England international, Amorim said: “So he [Mainoo] just needs to fight for the position with Bruno [Fernandes], as it should be at Manchester United.
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“He’s going to play with Bruno, but at the moment, he’s fighting in training with Bruno for the position.”
The United manager’s comments that pitted Mainoo against club captain Fernandes have left O’Shea baffled.
The iconic ex-United star has tried to justify why Amorim would have the academy product competing against Fernandes.
“I found it slightly strange that the manager mentioned that he’s just in competition with Bruno,” O’Shea remarked.
“I just found that a little bit strange. I know he’s probably putting a bit of a challenge to him, saying: ‘Listen, that’s who you’re up against’.
“Bruno has obviously been a top performer for the last few season, so it’s a little bit strange, but hopefully it’s just a bit of a wake-up call for Mainoo to do something a bit different.
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“Can he rise to the challenge? Is it a little psychological thing [set by Amorim] for him?”
Why has Mainoo not been playing?
Mainoo appears to have lost his place in the United line-up due to Fernandes playing in a deeper role.
The Red Devils skipper has been featuring alongside Casemiro as a No.8 in Amorim’s three-at-the-back system.
That change has been made following the arrivals of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbuemo, who are playing in more advanced roles.
It has forced Fernandes back and therefore has taken a space away from Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte in the starting team.
Mason Mount has also been featuring in the forward positions rather than bringing Fernandes into his more natural role.
As a result, Mainoo seems to have slipped down the pecking order this season.
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Man United’s top four hopes
Man United legend O’Shea has also spoken to talkSPORT about his old club’s chances of a top-four finish this campaign.
The Red Devils finished in a worst-ever 15th place last term, but the Irishman believes having no European football may aid them.
“They need some help in the last few days of the window to get really involved in that top four chase,” O’Shea said.
“The big thing for United will be the concentration on the league because they have no European football and they have to get the wins on the board…a bit of momentum will be huge.
“They’ll have a lot of time to prepare for the games, they’ll have massive energy, European games are a big energy-sapper, so they’re saving that.
“But they’ve got to keep the squad happy, keep the team happy and the only way you do that is by winning matches.”
Carabao Cup action
O’Shea has also weighed up United’s chances of progressing into the Carabao Cup third round as they prepare to face Grimsby Town on Wednesday night.
The League Two side are hoping to pull off a historic cup shock as they take on the Red Devils, live on talkSPORT.
He said: “It will be an amazing occasion down there at Grimsby and they’ve had a decent start to their season.
“For United, if they do everything right, I’m sure they’ll have no problem because they need to get a win on the board and some confidence flowing.
“Performances have been okay, but the results need to get better…it’s as simple as that and if they can get a win tonight, hopefully it gets the ball rolling again.”