Kobbie Mainoo has told Chelsea one thing needs to happen to complete shock Man Utd exit

Chelsea already know what they must do to sign Kobbie Mainoo from Manchester United in a shock move.

The 20-year-old midfielder has again been linked with a transfer away from Old Trafford after being an unused substitute in the first two Premier League games of the season.

United manager Ruben Amorim clarified Mainoo's absence as due to the fact that he is now directly competing with captain Bruno Fernandes for a spot in the team.

Given Fernandes has only missed eight Premier League games in the five-and-a-half years he has spent at Old Trafford, Mainoo is now left with a significant dilemma over his future.

According to talkSPORT, the England international midfielder is now open to leaving United before the summer transfer deadline of September 1.

🚨🎥| Kobbie Mainoo getting on the team bus after the game against Fulham yesterday.

He looks so dejected 😔💔 pic.twitter.com/hBnZc3LUKw

— UtdKev (@UtdKev8) August 25, 2025

Journalist Graeme Bailey claims that Mainoo is 'unhappy' with his situation at Old Trafford, with Chelsea and Tottenham among five clubs believed to be interested in signing him.

Brentford, Brighton and Fulham are the other Premier League sides named though, much like United, would be unable to offer Mainoo the opportunity to play European football this season.

That would undoubtedly be a factor in his decision to join Chelsea or Spurs should the opportunity arise - but the Blues may be in a better position to meet his demands.

GiveMeSport claimed in March that Mainoo wants to earn in the region of £180,000 per week should he make a permanent transfer away from United.

According to Capology, that figure would put him amongst Chelsea's top five earners and match the salary collected by Enzo Fernandez.

Tottenham, meanwhile, only have one player - captain Cristian Romero, whose new deal signed earlier this month puts him at £195,000 per week - that earns more than Mainoo's reported requested wage.

What has Mainoo said about his Man Utd future?

Much like many Manchester United youngsters, it was rare for Mainoo to give interviews in his opening seasons as a professional player, with the club usually attempting to prevent young players from receiving too much of the media spotlight.

But the 20-year-old did speak with MUTV during pre-season in Chicago, where he spoke of his enjoyment at playing as a holding midfielder.

"It's been good," he said. "Playing in there with Manu [Ugarte], Bruno, or any of them, Casemiro, Toby [Collyer], now adding Matheus in - I think it's worked well.

"I'm looking towards the season and I'll see what happens."

Whether the new season quickly sees him playing for a new club remains to be seen.