Rio Ferdinand has urged Kobbie Mainoo to walk away from Manchester United in January, saying the young midfielder cannot afford to waste any more time on the bench.
The 20-year-old England international, who impressed the whole country during Euro 2024, has not featured much for Manchester United this season.
Softfootball understands that Manchester United manager Amorim has recently faced criticism for Kobbie Mainoo’s lack of playing time this season.
Rio Ferdinand, alongside Joel Beya and Stephen Howson, speaks about the situation in a video posted by the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast via their official X account.
Watch the video below:
Beya noted that Mainoo has become a victim of his own success, while Howson added that it feels like Mainoo has to leave Manchester United in January, whether on loan or permanently.
Ferdinand went even deeper, referencing comments made by Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes on their podcast.
He said:
I saw, shout out, Butty and Scholesy on their podcast. I saw them talking about it the other day. I totally agree with them. If I think about it and I put myself in Koby Mainoo shoes, I’m out of there. I’ve got to go. Do you know I mean? He playing for England. He was one of the best players for England in a tournament. Not many players can say they’ve been that. He has. He’s wasted 18 months of his career now.
According to him, if he were in Mainoo’s shoes right now, he wouldn’t even think twice. The former United defender believes Mainoo has already lost around 18 months of real development time.
Ferdinand, who recently advised Mainoo on how to regain the Manchester United manager’s trust, also pointed at the midfielder’s inner circle, stating his family and representatives should have protected him better.
He said:
I mean, he should have just gone and I think his agents and more importantly, his family around him, I think have to protect him.
He added:
He might be sitting there going i love Manchester United too much to go. I want to stay and fight, but it is going to be two years in the summer.
You cannot lose two years of your career, it is a short career. If I were him, I would say to the manager, You aren’t going to start playing me now. So let’s just be honest with each other. I’m surplus to requirements; get me out of here.
Ferdinand feels the manager isn’t going to suddenly start playing Mainoo. He added that football careers are short and unforgiving, and wasting two full years would be damaging for a player who has already proved he can perform on the international stage.
Ferdinand believes Mainoo should be honest about his situation and push for an exit loan or permanent transfer to keep his career moving forward. With January approaching fast, the pressure around his future is only getting louder, and so far, there’s no clear sign of a turnaround in his role at Old Trafford.
