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Though the summer ahead is long, one player to watch closely going to the 2024-25 season is Kobbie Mainoo.
During the 2023-24 campaign, Mainoo was one of the standout prospects in English football.
After recovering from an injury sustained during Manchester United’s 2023 preseason, he steadily established himself within the first team.
Manager Erik ten Hag trusted him, and that faith was repaid.
In November 2023, he made his full Premier League debut and never looked back, securing a place in the starting XI.
By January 2024, he had claimed his first United Player of the Month award.
Impressively, he followed this up with the Premier League Goal of the Month in February and earned his first England senior call-up in March.
While dazzling in the league (to earn a Premier League Young Player of the Year nomination) he also starred in the FA Cup.
As United lifted the cup, he was named the 2023-24 Emirates FA Cup Player of the Season.
Later, he won United’s Player of the Month award for May.
After proving his worth in 2023-24, many were eager to see him continue flourishing.
His impressive performances at the Euros only heightened anticipation for the new season.
Enter 2024-25
Unfortunately, the young midfielder’s 2024-25 campaign did not go as planned.
Injuries, combined with a managerial change, held him back.
New head coach Ruben Amorim limited his game time, citing concerns that he was struggling defensively and lacked consistency.
As a result, he lost his place in central midfield and was restricted to occasional appearances as a No. 10.
After a difficult season, reports suggest the United academy graduate has been reluctant to agree to a new deal without clarity over his long-term role in the squad.
There have also been claims that the 20-time English league champions could be open to cashing in on him.
So, can Mainoo shake off the struggles of 2024-25 and re-establish himself at Old Trafford?
Amorim and his technical bench believe he can turn things around.
Over the weekend, reports emerged that the 20-year-old is working with a club-appointed strength and conditioning coach over the summer to enhance his speed and explosiveness.
Additionally, Give Me Sport have revealed further intriguing details about the midfielder.
With his current deal expiring in 2027, although there is an option to extend by a year, the publication reports that Mainoo and United are in discussions over a new contract.
The club have made it clear that the Stockport-born midfielder is not for sale.
In fact, they want to reinstate him in central midfield, where he first broke through, and build their project around him.
INEOS believe that, with the extra efforts to get him in peak condition, they will unleash an upgraded version of him next season.
The expectation is that he will be faster, stronger, and more combative, potentially saving United millions in the transfer market.
Despite his struggles, many remained confident that a player of his talent would find his way back into the team.
Now, United fans can look forward to seeing him thrive once more next season.
However, this resurgence could cast doubt over planned midfield reinforcements, such as a move for Atalanta’s Ederson.
Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images
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