Looking across the Premier League at the exorbitant prices paid for new signings this summer, it does beg the question, quite how much would Manchester United‘s Kobbie Mainoo be worth?
Thankfully, unlike a year ago, the 21-year-old’s future isn’t up for debate, having penned a new deal back in April, the Stockport sensation continuing to leave Ruben Amorim looking red-faced following his spell in the wilderness.
Absent from the starting lineup on the opening weekend against Hull City, Mainoo’s presence was keenly felt in the recent outing against Ipswich Town, running the show from central midfield.
From his exile under Amorim, the Englishman is now one of Michael Carrick’s most important players. Long may it continue.
How Mainoo quietly stole the show again vs Ipswich Town
Sunday afternoon belonged to Bruno Fernandes, undoubtedly, but it was telling that United looked a far better side with Mainoo in it, amid the prior woes of the Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans pairing against the Tigers.
Much is made of Mainoo’s lack of speed and athleticism, perhaps a reason for his lack of game time under Thomas Tuchel this summer, yet why not focus on what he can do instead?
On the ball, he’s such a force in the centre of the park, boasting that knack for being able to glide past players, as he recorded 23 carries against Ipswich, while successfully completing four of his five attempted dribbles.
One early, fizzed pass also found Tielemans inside the area, with the Belgian subsequently appealing for a penalty, while it was also Mainoo’s threaded through ball that picked out Matheus Cunha, prior to the Brazilian being hauled down by Jacob Greaves.
The Carrington graduate is so graceful, so natural in possession, yet his work out of possession appears to have come on leaps and bounds under Carrick too, winning nine of his 12 ground duels at the weekend.
|
Mainoo vs Ipswich |
|
|---|---|
|
Stat |
Record |
|
Minutes |
80 |
|
Touches |
68 |
|
Pass accuracy |
90% |
|
Key passes |
0 |
|
Succ. dribbles |
4/5 |
|
Ball lost |
7 |
|
Fouls won |
2 |
|
Carries |
23 |
|
Recoveries |
10 |
|
Ground duels |
9/12 |
|
Dribbled past |
2 |
It was a summer all about the midfield for INEOS, with three new faces in the building, yet Mainoo might still remain the most important of the lot in that central pairing.
Indeed, in 2026 especially, he’s showcased the benefits of looking to the youth ranks to find the next big thing.
Man Utd can repeat Mainoo success to save INEOS millions
There were whispers that it would be a summer of sizeable change at Old Trafford, although, Karl Darlow aside, there were only really three signings made to directly impact the first team, with 18-year-old Tynan Thompson more of a long-term investment.
With that in mind, and considering the fitness woes of so many in Carrick’s squad, the United boss might have to rely on the youth set-up more regularly this season, with there still plenty of gaps to fill in the senior ranks.
The Red Devils need to find another academy success story, in the mould of Mainoo, with Shea Lacey currently the only youngster really pushing for more first-team minutes as things stand.
Maybe that will all change now that the window has ended, with the decision not to sign a new left-back hopefully set to bolster Harry Amass’ hopes of regular game time.
Despite late interest from the likes of Celtic on deadline day, United decided to keep hold of the 19-year-old, having failed to poach Lewis Hall from Newcastle United.
The Magpies’ desire to keep hold of the 21-year-old, alongside the reported £70m-plus asking price, seemingly put paid to INEOS’ hopes of signing him, having arguably moved too late with Newcastle having already sold Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes.
The expectation is that, like with Baleba a year ago, INEOS will return with a fresh approach for Hall next year, with 2027 set to see the next phase of recruitment focus on the defence.
However, why not at least give Amass a chance to prove himself properly over the next 12 months, with the 19-year-old having the tools to really challenge Luke Shaw down that left flank.
The teenager did endure a tough second half against Leeds United at Croke Park, following the introduction of Wilfried Gnonto, yet it was largely a positive pre-season on a personal note, memorably scoring and assisting in the thumping win over Rosenborg.
Previously tipped by Shaw himself to be a player to look out for, Amass has already shown what he can do in flashes at first-team level, not least on loan at Sheffield Wednesday last term.
In the first-half of 2025/26, he was a real shining light for the Owls, scoring and assisting two goals in 21 games, while ending that Championship season with a stellar average of 1.5 successful dribbles per game.
For comparison, while Hall was operating in the Premier League, the ex-Chelsea man also scored and assisted just two goals last season, while averaging just 1.2 successful dribbles per game.
The Newcastle man is far from the finished article himself, as his foul on Liverpool’s Victor Munoz on the opening weekend showcased, with there surely no harm in putting faith in Amass instead.
He’s strong, quick and loves to get forward, as every United full-back should do, and with Shaw unlikely to be relied upon across a 60-game season, Amass should be thrown in sooner rather than later.
As the case of Mainoo, and countless others before him, have showcased, sometimes trusting teenage talent can prove so fruitful at Old Trafford. It could also save INEOS millions too.
