Alan Shearer and Paul Scholes have reached a transfer agreement for Koby Mainu, backing his possible departure from Manchester United due to the midfielder’s lack of regular minutes. Mainu is yet to make a single start in the Premier League this season and has been restricted to 11 substitute appearances under head coach Ruben Amorim.
Mainu came off the bench in Monday’s thrilling 4-4 draw with Bournemouth and the 20-year-old was warmly welcomed by the Old Trafford fans. The young midfielder has been heavily linked with a move away from United in recent months. Clubs including Chelsea, West Ham and Napoli have been keen to sign Mainu in recent weeks, but reports say United have no intention of allowing the midfielder to leave Old Trafford in January, despite mounting speculation.
Shearer has now outlined why a departure would be in Mainu’s best interests, and why such a move would benefit the Red Devils as well.
“Obviously the manager doesn’t like Koby Mainu because if you don’t have him in the team when they’re really struggling, then there’s a problem,” Shearer told Betfair. “And I think from the outside looking in, this move looks like it’s better for all parties.
“This is not the first time we have seen Manchester United players not fitting into what the manager wants. And he is not afraid to sack players, send them out on loan or sell them. And that seems to be the case for him too.”
“I don’t know, I’m not inside the club and I don’t know what his attitude is like. But looking from the outside, it would be best for both parties if he could go out and play football after January.”
“Whether it’s a loan or a permanent contract, we’ll have to wait and see. But if he’s not playing, obviously he has to look at the situation and leave.”
Asked about Mainu’s limited appearances throughout the campaign, Amorim acknowledged the reasons behind his choice.
“I see him (Mainu) as a starter like any other player,” Amorim said last month. “I just have to make a choice, and at the end of the day, it wasn’t Koby.
“I don’t know about the future. Again, I always think the same thing about Casemiro. (He) didn’t play, but then he will play. I just want to win games. I don’t care who is playing.”
United icon Scholes echoed Shearer’s sentiments, suggesting it might be wise for Mainu to leave Old Trafford, with the former midfielder also referencing Amorim’s comments.
Following Amorim’s recent comments about Mainu, Scholes posted on Instagram: “That kid (Mainu) is being ruined by not letting him play for a team that can’t control the game of football.”
“I hate to see old players leave, but this is the best time for him. Enough is enough.”
