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Chelsea could make SHOCK move for Man Utd wonderkid
Cameron Smith
- Updated: 25 Aug 2025 04:51 CDT
- 4 min read
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Chelsea have been handed a major boost in their long-term pursuit of Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who hasn't been a regular starter under Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford.
The 20-year-old has been on the Blues’ radar for several months and they were heavily linked with an ambitious move during the January transfer window.
A deal failed to materialise and Tottenham Hotspur have now been earmarked as potential suitors for Mainoo after Chelsea’s decision to sign Dario Essugo and reintegrate Andrey Santos into the squad following his successful loan spell at Strasbourg.
However, rumours of a move for Mainoo persist in the background and Amorim has given Chelsea hope that a deal could be possible.
Mainoo was a regular starter under Erik ten Hag, but his involvement has dropped dramatically since the appointment of Amorim and he has only played the entire 90 minutes in five Premier League games under the current Man Utd head coach.
The England midfielder has been an unused substitute during Man Utd’s opening two fixtures of the new campaign and his absence versus Fulham on Sunday has fuelled further rumours of a possible departure.
Amorim opted to start Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes in a midfield pivot for the second consecutive game, and he moved Mason Mount into a deeper role after Benjamin Sesko replaced Casemiro in the 53rd minute.
Manuel Ugarte subsequently came on for Mount, while Amorim later decided to bring on both Harry Maguire and Ayden Heaven, despite the Red Devils needing a goal to claim their first victory of the season.
Ruben Amorim on Kobbie Mainoo
Speaking after Man Utd’s 1-1 draw against Fulham on Sunday, Amorim told reporters: “He’s (Mainoo) fighting for the position now with Bruno, and I changed two midfielders.
“I let Mason Mount [play] there because we want to score a goal and when I changed I felt the team needed to return to one holding midfielder near Bruno.
“So he just needs to fight for the position with Bruno, as [it] should be at Manchester United. [Sometimes] he’s going to play with Bruno, but at the moment he’s fighting in training with Bruno for the position.”
Given the fact that Fernandes is Man Utd’s captain and he’s been their most reliable performer for the past five years, it’s unlikely that Mainoo will usurp the Portugal international in the starting XI at Old Trafford this season.
As a result, a transfer could certainly be on the cards, especially as his current contract is due to expire in 2027.
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