Manchester United protege Kobbie Mainoo apparently looks 'certain' to be sold by the Red Devils in the wake of their crushing Europa League final loss.
Ruben Amorim failed to mastermind a much-needed success in Bilbao over Tottenham Hotspur, who prevailed 1-0 on Wednesday to clinch a coveted spot in the Champions League.
As a result, Man United will not play any form of European football in the 2025-26 campaign, and the fallout from Wednesday's unsuccessful trip to Spain has already hit the club hard.
The Red Devils have lost out on tens of millions of pounds by failing to win the Europa League, and staff have allegedly been warned about another wave of redundancies as part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's extreme cost-cutting measures.
The INEOS chief has presided over Man United's worst-ever Premier League season, with the Red Devils at risk of finishing as low as 17th in the English top-flight table on the final day of the season.
Man United 'prioritising' sale of biggest assets
© Imago
In order to avoid financial oblivion, The Sun claims that letting some of their most prized assets leave is now a 'priority', and it is virtually guaranteed that Mainoo will be offloaded this summer.
The England international has been a shining light over the past couple of seasons for Man United but has found the going a bit tougher in the 2024-25 season, only managing two goals and an assist in 36 appearances across all competitions.
Mainoo also did not start a single Europa League knockout game up to and including the final, only coming off the bench for the final minute against Spurs, and he has not found his true place in Amorim's system.
The Red Devils supposedly want around £55m to sell their academy graduate, whose exit would be particularly beneficial financially due to his home-grown status, allowing them to record his departure as pure profit.
Chelsea were formerly linked with a move for Mainoo, but it remains to be seen if the Blues rekindle their interest in the 20-year-old, who is out of contract at Old Trafford in two years' time.
Mainoo has contributed seven goals and two assists in 71 senior appearances for Man United since making his first-team breakthrough, but he has also been hampered by a pair of muscular injuries this season.
Which other prized assets can Man United sell this summer?
© Imago
The Englishman is one of two embryonic talents who could be let go for a sizeable fee this summer, as Alejandro Garnacho also appears to have one foot out of the Old Trafford exit door.
The Argentine's relationship with Amorim has supposedly broken down entirely after the pair appeared to aim digs at one another after the Europa League final, where Garnacho was only brought off the bench for the last 20 minutes.
New destinations will also be sought for Jadon Sancho, Antony and Marcus Rashford if all three return from their loan spells this summer, while Joshua Zirkzee should be moved on as well.
Bruno Fernandes's future has naturally been the subject of heightened speculation too, but the Al-Hilal-linked captain is not expected to sever ties with Man United just yet.
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Ben Knapton
