EXCLUSIVE: Mainoo leaves Amorim fuming as Man Utd miss out on Gallagher

Steve Kay
Steve Kay
  • Updated: 4 Sept 2025 07:13 BST
  • 4 min read
Ruben Amorim, Connor Gallagher, Kobbie Mainoo
© IMAGO

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has been left furious with the situation at Old Trafford following the summer transfer window, particularly regarding the situation with Kobbie Mainoo.

Article continues under the video

FootballTransfers understands that Amorim has been left frustrated that Mainoo’s request for a loan move away was rejected by the club’s hierarchy, with the Portuguese having aimed to bring in a midfielder of his own.

Atletico Madrid star Conor Gallagher was the player wanted by Amorim to bolster his options in the middle of the field, with the former Chelsea star seen as a more tenacious and mobile alternative in the heart of the field for the Red Devils.

Current ETV
Player image Conor Gallagher
Conor Gallagher

M (CL), DM (C)

Atlético Madrid logo

Atlético Madrid

Conor Gallagher
Conor Gallagher

M (CL), DM (C)

Atlético Madrid

Atlético Madrid

€40.6M

ETV Range

€36.6M - €44.7M

The coach was told prior to the transfer deadline that Mainoo would be remaining with the squad and that no new player would be drafted in.

Gallagher has been a long-time target for Amorim and Man Utd. The club chased him as far back as January but were told that no deal was possible at that stage and to revisit the move in the summer.

By the time the Red Devils asked Diego Simeone’s side about the player late in the window, they were told that a loan deal was not possible. United were unable and unwilling to fund a permanent move.

Kobbie Mainoo, Man Utd
© IMAGO - Kobbie Mainoo, Man Utd

Mainoo had pushed for loan

Mainoo, meanwhile, had been eager for a loan move away from Old Trafford after Ruben Amorim has made it clear that he is only an alternative pick to Bruno Fernandes in the heart of the field.

The young England international fears that he may be out of the spotlight in the run up to the 2026 World Cup and is eager for first-team football to ensure that his game develops as he feels it should.

With no European football and United already out of the Carabao Cup, opportunities could be limited for the youngster to get regular game time.

Amorim is displeased that he has been left with a player who had made it clear he did not want to be with Man Utd this summer, particularly when Gallagher was seen as a possible signing.

Football transfer news headlines today

The summer’s most EMBARRASSING transfer blunder? Premier League stars go VIRAL

Man Utd target confirms transfer desire - but hints at Liverpool move

Man Utd FINALLY find transfer for Onana

The FIVE best signings of the summer revealed by transfer experts

The FootballTransfers app

Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.

The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:

Google Play

App Store

Never miss the next big transfer!

Get the latest transfer insights and analyses directly in your mailbox.