Two Manchester United legends, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, have delivered a bold and surprising message to rising star Kobbie Mainoo: leave Old Trafford as soon as possible. The January transfer window, they believe, represents the perfect moment for the young midfielder to take control of his career before it loses momentum under manager Ruben Amorim.
Their shared opinion has quickly become a hot topic among English football fans. Mainoo, who last season emerged as one of United’s brightest talents and even scored the decisive goal in the FA Cup final, now finds himself pushed to the fringes of the squad. Amorim, it seems, does not view the 20-year-old as a central part of his project.
This drastic shift in Mainoo’s role has raised concerns from two former midfielders who understand the pressures of elite football better than anyone.
Scholes: “If Chelsea Want You, You Should Go—No Doubt”
Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Paul Scholes offered a brutally honest assessment of Mainoo’s situation. The former United playmaker believes that staying at Old Trafford with limited opportunities would be a mistake.
“If Chelsea come in, I’d tell him to go,” Scholes said firmly.
Scholes added that if Mainoo personally asked for advice, his answer would be exactly the same.
“If he called me and said, ‘Chelsea want me—what do you think?’ I’d say: ‘Without hesitation, go.’”
The bluntness of Scholes’ comment reflects real frustration over how a talented academy graduate has been handled. For Scholes, a young midfielder’s development depends heavily on consistent minutes on the pitch—something Mainoo is no longer receiving.
A Warning About Stagnation: “Lack of Matches Will Kill His Rhythm”
Scholes expanded his criticism by explaining why Mainoo’s dwindling playing time could be dangerous for his growth. According to him, young midfielders need long stretches of regular football to build confidence and rhythm.
“He needs five to eight games in a row to find his flow,” Scholes said.
“I worry he’ll just be thrown into random matches, and if he doesn’t play well, the management will use him as a scapegoat.”
The former England midfielder also reminded fans of Mainoo’s remarkable achievements at such a young age—his match-winning performance in the FA Cup final, and his influential role during England’s Euro campaign. These moments, Scholes insisted, prove Mainoo deserves more trust and responsibility.
With that potential now at risk of being wasted, Scholes believes leaving United is the sensible path.
Nicky Butt: “For the Sake of His Footballing Future, He Needs to Go”
Nicky Butt, a key figure in United’s Class of ’92 and former head of the club’s academy, echoed Scholes’ sentiments. Butt pulled no punches when discussing Mainoo’s stalled progression.
“For his footballing future, he has to leave. He’s already lost 18 months of development,” Butt said.
The added weight of Butt’s comments is significant. He was one of the people responsible for nurturing United’s young talents, and he understands how damaging stagnation can be for players still shaping their careers.
Butt even suggested that a move abroad could be beneficial for Mainoo, helping him escape the intense scrutiny of English football and allowing him to mature in a different environment. However, he also acknowledged the appeal of Chelsea’s current project.
“Chelsea are building a really strong young squad,” Butt explained.
“It wouldn’t be surprising if he ends up there next season.”
The Blues’ emphasis on recruiting and developing young talent has already attracted players like Moisés Caicedo, Enzo Fernández, Mykhailo Mudryk, and of course Alejandro Garnacho—Mainoo’s former teammate who left United for Stamford Bridge earlier this year.
Why Chelsea Is Viewed as the Best Option
Both Scholes and Butt emphasized that Chelsea’s project aligns well with what Mainoo needs at this stage of his career:
- Consistent Playing Time
Chelsea have shown a willingness to trust young players with major responsibilities, something Mainoo is unlikely to receive under Amorim.
- A Clear Long-Term Project
Enzo Maresca is steadily shaping the squad around energetic, technical midfielders—a profile that fits Mainoo perfectly.
- A Chance to Grow Without Excessive Pressure
While Chelsea remain a big club, the expectations on individual players are not as suffocating as at Manchester United, especially during a transition period.
A Crossroads Moment for Mainoo
Mainoo’s contract still has time left, but the next few months could define the direction of his career. Staying at United may mean fighting for minutes in a system that does not seem built for him. Leaving could offer the opportunity to play regularly, develop freely, and realize the potential he displayed last season.
For Scholes and Butt, the choice is clear:
Mainoo must leave Old Trafford—before it’s too late.
Whether the young midfielder will follow such advice remains uncertain, but one thing is undeniable: his future is now one of the most closely watched storylines heading into the January transfer window.
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