Manchester United’s handling of Kobbie Mainoo has begun to raise eyebrows, with reports suggesting Newcastle United could make a bold move for the young midfielder.
According to The Chronicle, the 20-year-old is growing frustrated with his limited playing time under the new system and is beginning to question his future at Old Trafford.
For a player of his immense promise, sitting on the bench week after week is doing little for his development, especially with his ambitions of representing England at the next World Cup slowly fading.
Newcastle manager Rúben Amorim is reportedly an admirer of Mainoo’s talent. However, he also believes that the youngster still has areas to improve before becoming a consistent starter.
While no one doubts Mainoo’s technical ability, there remains uncertainty over how he fits into Amorim’s tactical structure. The same could be said of Erik ten Hag’s setup at Manchester United, where the midfielder’s role has become unclear in a side still struggling for balance.
If Newcastle are serious about bringing Mainoo to St. James’ Park, Manchester United could turn the situation to their advantage. A potential swap deal involving one of Newcastle’s midfield stars could appeal to both parties and one name stands out: Sandro Tonali.
The Italian international, despite his recent challenges, has proven to be the type of deep-lying midfielder United have lacked since Michael Carrick retired.
Tonali is a rare player who doesn’t chase headlines but quietly controls the tempo of the game. He fills spaces, keeps possession flowing, and reads danger before it develops.
His intelligence allows him to cover for teammates and launch attacks with precision. While flashy moments are few, his consistency makes him indispensable in a system that values control and discipline.
For United, a player of his type could bring much-needed stability to a midfield that has often looked disjointed and reactive.
Losing Mainoo would be painful for United, especially given he’s a product of their youth academy and was once seen as the club’s future.
However, a deal that improves the starting XI in the short term might be worth considering, especially if Amorim insists on adding young English talent to his Newcastle rebuild.
Paul Scholes, a man whose opinion carries significant weight in discussions about midfield quality, has publicly praised Tonali. Speaking on The Overlap, the Manchester United legend compared the Italian favorably to other Premier League midfielders, even ranking him above big names like Declan Rice.
Scholes said, “I still don’t class Caicedo as an all-round midfield player. I know he scored a great goal and was brilliant the other day, but I just prefer the controlling type of midfielders who play with a bit more style and can score goals more often than Caicedo. I love Tonali. He’s been brilliant, very good. I would probably choose Tonali at this point. Yes, you’re going to say Rice, but I think he’s better than him.”
Scholes’ words show just how much he values Tonali’s qualities composure, technical precision, and an understanding of rhythm in midfield. If Manchester United could pull off a deal that brings such a player into their ranks, it could mark a turning point in their rebuild under ten Hag.
Meanwhile, Mainoo’s frustration is understandable. Just a year ago, he was being hailed as United’s next big star, with glowing endorsements from Scholes himself and veteran midfielder Casemiro.
After the 2024 FA Cup final, Scholes said, “Read a few comparisons between me and this kid last week… don’t waste your time, he is 10 times the player I was at 19. I just love the way he receives the ball, the calmness, the awareness of what’s around him, and of course, big goals in big games. This boy is special.”
That’s high praise from one of the most technically gifted midfielders in English football history. Casemiro also spoke highly of Mainoo, describing him as “a complete player aggressive, looks after the ball, wants the ball.
If Kobbie continues with this mentality, training hard and doing things right, Manchester United have a great player for the next 15 years.”
But potential means little without opportunity. Mainoo needs regular football to grow, and it’s becoming clear that United’s current setup might not be the best environment for him to flourish.
Amorim’s Newcastle, on the other hand, could offer a stage for him to express his creativity and tactical intelligence, especially in a side that encourages progressive play.
For Manchester United, the prospect of losing such a gifted academy graduate will sting, but football is often about timing and trade-offs.
If Mainoo truly doesn’t fit ten Hag’s evolving system, and if Newcastle are willing to offer a player like Tonali in exchange, this could be one of those rare deals that benefits both sides.
It’s a delicate balance between nurturing long-term talent and addressing immediate needs. Mainoo might yet grow into the world-class midfielder everyone expects him to be, but his journey may not unfold at Old Trafford. For now, both clubs have decisions to make
and whichever way it goes, this story could shape the futures of two ambitious Premier League sides searching for the right midfield formula.
