Kobbie Mainoo Right To Follow Marc Guehi Example Over Isak This Transfer Window

Kobbie Mainoo hoped to find a Manchester United escape route last month in a bid for more game time.

The young midfield player was denied the opportunity to make the move away from Old Trafford on deadline day.

Manager Ruben Amorim is a fan of the youngster and urged Mainoo to fight for his spot in the starting XI for the club, but his playing time has been limited for the kid.

That – as well as close pal Alejandro Garnacho leaving for Chelsea towards the end of the transfer window – forced the 20-year-old to consider his short-term plan.

And it prompted the England international to request a loan deal in the final hours of the window on Monday evening in a bid to up his minutes. Six clubs were rumoured to have made contact with the club over Mainoo including Leeds United.

Kobbie Mainoo had six interested clubs on deadline day

The request was denied by Amorim and United who were keen to hold onto him and have him challenging captain Bruno Fernandes for his jersey. But it left a bitter taste in Mainoo’s mouth as he remains sitting on the bench for the most part at Old Trafford.

We have seen plenty already this summer of players taking the hump when faced with seeing a potential move fall apart.

Alexander Isak behaved poorly at Newcastle United and refused to play for the club after a bid of £110million from Liverpool was knocked back.

Isak would issue a damning statement about alleged “broken promises” from the Magpies before he eventually did get his move.

His legacy among supporters, though, was tarnished and his professionalism was questioned.

Yoane Wissa – Isak’s replacement at St James’ Park – had a similar meltdown at Brentford as he, too, accused the Bees of breaking promises to let him leave. And like his predecessor his reputation at the Gtech was compromised.

There is an argument to be made the Mainoo was right not to kick up a fuss like the aforementioned pair. Sure, they would get their moves, but they would lose the love from their previous support and their reputation will follow them beyond this year.

Mainoo is still young and has a significant future ahead of him with United. He has already earned 10 caps for England as a Red Devil and at that age, that is no mean feat.

Mainoo followed Marc Guehi’s footsteps over Isak and Wissa

A loan exit is also short-term, and returning to Manchester after issuing ultimatums for a loan would not be a good look. Nor would it help him in his longer-term ambitions to be a starter at the Theatre of Dreams.

Mainoo was right to follow in the footsteps of Marc Guehi at Crystal Palace.

The defender was professional throughout the summer with Liverpool offering £35m for Guehi before a late collapse ruined his dream Anfield switch.

There were no complaints, no transfer requests, no refusals to play for the Eagles. Just professionalism.

Guehi will be adored and remembered by the fans at Selhurst Park for the way he has conducted himself. As Ebere Eze was when he finally made the move to Arsenal.

Mainoo is still very young. But he has that to look forward to if he continues to keep his head down and work hard for Amorim to play more often.