An out-of-favour Manchester United star is reportedly attracting interest from Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and could potentially be used as part of a swap deal.
United’s start to the 2025/26 Premier League campaign has been a mixed bag.
A poor start, which left head coach Ruben Amorim under scrutiny, was followed by a five-game unbeaten run between October 4 and November 24, including a 2-1 win against arch rivals Liverpool at Anfield.
But following the November international break, United fell to a disappointing 1-0 defeat at home against Everton, who played most of the match with 10 men after Idrissa Gana Gueye’s sending off just 13 minutes into the Premier League clash.
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However, the Red Devils bounced back with a 2-1 away win at Crystal Palace in their next match before again struggling at home, this time drawing 1-1 with relegation-threatened West Ham United on December 4.
Amorim has stuck to his 3-4-2-1 formation despite widespread criticism this term, while a number of out-of-favour players have been forced to watch from the bench, including academy product Kobbie Mainoo, who has yet to start a league fixture this term.
Despite not utilising Mainoo, Amorim has defended his decision-making and failure to start any academy player in the Premier League so far this season.
Of course, the central midfielder was linked with a move away from United in the summer transfer window, having reportedly been close to a loan move switch to Napoli before the deal was blocked.
The 20-year-old has played 171 minutes in the league this term and is once again linked with a move away ahead of next month’s winter transfer window.
As reported by Team Talk, the midfielder, who is contracted to United until June of 2027, is now the subject of interest from Bundesliga outfit Bayern Munich.
The outlet claims that the German club have held “direct discussions with Mainoo’s representatives, signalling their strong intent to secure a permanent deal in January”.
Napoli also remain interested in the England international, with Mainoo said to be “open” to joining the side and linking up with United loanee Rasmus Hojlund and fellow Red Devils academy graduate Scott McTominay.
But for now, Bayern appear to be frontrunners to secure Mainoo’s signature.
While the terms of any proposed deal remain unclear, a potential swap deal may make sense for both clubs - although there is no suggestion from either that this is imminent.
With Mainoo angling for an Old Trafford exit and Bayern midfielder Leon Goretzka set to see his contract expire next summer, it could make sense to involve the players in some kind of swap deal.
30-year-old Goretzka has reportedly been the subject of interest from United for some time, with the Germany international able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs come January 1, 2026.
Swapping a 20-year-old for a player ten years his senior would likely mean that Bayern would also have to include a hefty sum in a potential deal, as well as Goretzka.
The 30-year-old joined Bayern from Schalke in 2018 and has won six Bundesliga titles, one Champions League crown and two DFB Pokals with the Bavarians.
Topics: Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Kobbie Mainoo, Premier League, Bundesliga, Football
Luke Davies