We know that there were rumors that United were looking to let go off potentially both Mainoo and Garnacho in the winter window in a bid to raise funds to help the club.
As they are two of our most promising and profitable players, they would bring in a better price than most which no doubt, would've helped the club.
This caused much uproar in the fan base because selling two academy products went against everything we are as Manchester United.
Thankfully, they didn't leave but once again, we've heard that Mainoo could be a player that United would look to sell in the summer.
Florian Plettenberg says that "Manchester United are confident that they will be able to invest in top transfers this summer, especially as the budget will be freed up through the possible and planned departures of Victor #Lindelöf, #Casemiro, Christian #Eriksen, and Kobbie #Mainoo."
He also mentions how the potential sales of Rashford and Antony could help the club make even more money.
I'm not sure why Plettenberg has included Mainoo in this. Is it to test the waters and see the reactions of fans and the football world alike?
He actually had his tweet correct with all else that he said and who else he mentioned but when reading Mainoo's name, it makes you think: 'what the hell is he doing part of this list?'
All of Lindelof, Casemiro, Eriksen, Rashford and Antony need to go because of multiple reasons but again, it goes against who we are should we be trying to sell Mainoo at this stage in his career.
Admittedly, Mainoo hasn't been at his best this season, it's hard to find his best position in Amorim's system (if he has one) and is to some degree, injury prone.
I don't want to talk too much about him because I did so recently here, but it's not as if he is an unsellable footballer, IYKWIM,
He hasn't performed, it is difficult to see where he fits into this side especially with the upturn in forms of Zirkzee and Garnacho at number 10, and Casemiro showing his class further deeper. Bruno has also been superb playing as a number 8. These are all positions where Mainoo plays.
On the other hand, he is 19 and there's so much developing to go. At this moment, he may not be him but who's to say in a few years?
Those injuries are a little concerning though. He seems to pick these up every so often that keep him out for a decent period at a time.
Maybe all this news is just the usual spin from the club. It's probably that rather than we're genuinely looking to sell Mainoo and are interested in Hugo Ekitike, Benjamin Sesko, Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen.
We are most definitely linked with a striker as there is always news about United wanting to bring in a number 9. But to be linked with four and just after the news about more ticket price increases, it is a little coincidental.
Typical United, innit?
The German journalist Plettenberg says that "Manchester United are looking to strengthen their attack in the summer and are intensively scouting the market. Talks have already begun. #MUFC
From the Bundesliga, the Red Devils are closely monitoring Hugo #Ekitike and Benjamin #Sesko. Viktor #Gyökeres and Victor #Osimhen remain high on their list."
Ekitike is currently at Eintracht Frankfurt where the 22-year-old has 19 goals and 8 assists in his 38 matches for the club this season. This puts the Frenchman in 7th position on the top scorers charts in the Bundesliga. These are very impressive numbers.
He also stands at 1.9m indicating that he is a pretty tall guy but he will need to bulk up a little should he want to play in the PL because he does appear lightweight.
Ekitike's contract expires at the end of the 28/29 season giving him 4 more years and the rest of this before his deal runs out.
Next on that list is Sesko and he is a player who has been linked with United for some time. He was actually close to signing for Arsenal in January before he decided to extend his contract at RB Leipzig.
😂😂😂.
The Slovenia international is bigger and taller than Ekitike and also a year younger (21). However, his current deal also expires in June 2029 which makes these two potential transfers a little more difficult.
Sesko is slightly behind Ekitike in terms of goal involvements as he has 17 goals and 6 assists across all competitions this season.
His time at both Red Bull clubs has seen him score 64 goals and grab 19 assists in 157 matches which is a ratio of 0.53. Not a bad return for a young CF.
The two other strikers, Viktor with a K and Victor with a C, are two players that need no introduction.
Gyokeres was always going to be linked with us after Amorim's move to United. We needed a striker then as we do now and it makes sense that we would be looking at the Swede.
United and Sporting also have a good history over the years with several moving from the Portuguese club to Manchester.
Gyokeres is just about the oldest of this quartet at 26 (a few months ahead of Osimhen) with the pair of them also being the most experienced.
Amorim's former striker was the deadliest in Europe under the now United boss. For Lisbon this season, Viktor with a K has 40 goals and 10 assists in 41 games! Almost a goal a game 😳.
He scored 23 of those goals in Amorim's 16 games before he left to join United.
The Sweden international's contract with the Portuguese club ends in June 2028, a year earlier than the previous two on this list.
Osimhen is the shortest of the four standing at just 1.86m. Just.
He is however, one of the most prolific scorers in Europe over the past three seasons ever since that incredible campaign that saw Napoli win the Scudetto inspired by Osimhen and co.
This season is no different as the Nigerian has 26 goals and 5 assists in his 30 games for Galatasaray whom he's on loan with for this campaign.
Not only has Osimhen been one of the best centre-forwards over the past three years, his contract ends in June this year! making him the most gettable of the lot as unless he extends his contract, he will be able to leave Naples for free.
Because of this, there will be no shortage of suitors for the forward which can be said of the other three mentioned as well making the chances of United signing them more difficult.
We also have to consider how our season ends because these guys will want to play Champions League football as well as be part of a team that looks like it's heading somewhere.
Other good news with these four players is that they aren't injury prone with only Osimhen have a few issues.
With that Mainoo story as well, it makes you think that perhaps they're looking to let him go in order to try and bring in one of these forwards and/or others?
Would you be willing to let Kobbie go if it meant bringing in a top striker?
This report makes no sense because just last week, Sir Jim Ratcliffe came out and said that the club won't be looking to sell young players like Mainoo and Garnacho just for funds. If they were to be sold, it would be because they aren't performing on the pitch.
So what the actual fuck?
Thoughts on these stories?
Background Image: Kobbie Mainoo potentially on the list of players Man Utd could remove | Creator: Eddie Keogh | Credit: Getty Images Copyright: 2024 Getty Images via Man Utd News