Kobbie Mainoo's brother surprises fans with 'Free Mainoo' shirt amid unclear future

Jordan Mainoo-Hames, Kobbie’s half-brother, attended the match and caught attention by turning towards United fans with a smile while wearing the shirt. The message was widely interpreted as a statement urging the club to give Mainoo more opportunities - or allow him to leave.

Mainoo’s future remains unclear due to his limited game time. This season, the midfielder has yet to start a single match. Against Bournemouth, he was only introduced in the 61st minute as a replacement for Casemiro. Ruben Amorim previously indicated he would be open to discussions should the 20-year-old seek a move, but there has been no further development since.

According to reports in England, Mainoo has attracted interest from several clubs on a potential loan move. Napoli have been mentioned as one option, with the Italian side already featuring former United players such as Rasmus Højlund, Scott McTominay and Romelu Lukaku. However, Napoli are not the only club interested, with dozens reportedly monitoring his situation, while United remain silent.

There could be an opportunity ahead for Mainoo, as Casemiro will miss the next match against Aston Villa due to suspension after receiving five yellow cards. If Amorim opt to start him, the midfielder may get a chance to prove himself against one of the Premier League’s top-three sides.

On paper, Mainoo appears to be one of Amorim’s best available options. With the squad affected by injuries and AFCON absences, the Portuguese manager has limited choices. Without Casemiro and Mbeumo, Amorim could deploy Mainoo alongside Bruno Fernandes in midfield, with Cunha and Mount as two number 10s, and Šeško or Zirkzee leading the line. Based on this setup, Mainoo’s chances of starting against Aston Villa look high.

However, if Mainoo fails to impress - or if Amorim decides not to give him the opportunity - a departure may become inevitable. Whether on loan or permanently, a move away from Old Trafford could be necessary for the midfielder to revive his career and strengthen his case for a place in England’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.