Insider predicts Man United response to Chelsea's Kobbie Mainoo move

03/23/2025 04:00 AM

Man United would prefer to sell Kobbie Mainoo abroad despite growing interest from Chelsea, according to their former chief scout.

Mick Brown, who spent over a decade at Old Trafford during the club’s most successful period and remains very well-connected there, exclusively told Football Insider that they are now prepared to let the 19-year-old leave this summer.

However, Chelsea are not out of the race for the England international’s signature as United are likely to sell to the highest bidder in an attempt to raise funds.

This comes after Brown told Football Insider that Man United will accept £70million for Mainoo as they are keen to raise money from his departure.

The midfielder is widely expected to leave Old Trafford this summer after talks over a new deal broke down, while United are open to making pure profit on his sale.

This decision has received widespread backlash from United fans, but clubs across Europe have been put on alert by his availability, including Chelsea.

Man United to demand significant fee for Kobbie Mainoo sale

Brown first told Football Insider that Man United are planning to sell Mainoo in February as he explained they are attempted to dig themselves out of a financial hole.

Now, the former scout who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment and also worked for the likes of Tottenham, Aston Villa and West Ham, insisted that they are likely to sell to the highest bidder whoever that may be.

“Man United would prefer to sell Mainoo abroad,” he told Football Insider.

“Chelsea are still interested, they have been since January, but United aren’t especially interested in selling him to a direct rival.

“It annoys me that Man United are prepared to let players like Mainoo go in the interest of raising money and making profits.

“For me, it goes against everything the club have worked to build over a number of years.

“What they should be doing is building around players like Mainoo, Garnacho and other young players they’ve got instead of spending huge sums on players who aren’t good enough.

“But, this is how they’re choosing to do things, they’re going to sell these players and raise funds.

“Based on that, I expect they’ll be looking to sell to the highest bidder.

“Whether that’s the likes of PSG, Barcelona, Real Madrid or if it’s Chelsea, whoever is prepared to pay the big bucks is the one they’ll accept.”

Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho futures uncertain

Talk about potential departures has dominated recent headlines at Man United given the difficult financial situation they have found themselves in of late.

The sale of Mainoo has been eyed to raise funds, while Alejandro Garnacho was linked to Chelsea in January as another pure profit sale for United.

Now, Marcus Rashford looks likely to be moved on permanently in the summer as Man United have raised Rashford’s asking price following his England call-up.

Bayern Munich and Barcelona want to sign Rashford, while Aston Villa are also targeting a permanent move following his successful loan spell so far.

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