Man Utd youngster Kobbie Mainoo has fallen down the midfield pecking order at Old Trafford with Ruben Amorim in charge.Kobbie Mainoo has not started in the league this season.(Image: 2025 Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA)

England Under-21s have contacted Kobbie Mainoo about the possibility of representing their youth team.

Manchester United midfielder Mainoo has not started in the Premier League this season, with Ruben Amorim stating Mainoo is competing with Bruno Fernandes for a place in the team.

The Manchester Evening News revealed last month that Mainoo is working hard to win a starting role in the XI, even changing his private chef at home in an attempt to improve, although the youngster has continued to be limited to making substitute appearances in the league.

Amorim has challenged Mainoo to improve aspects of his game. The 20-year-old has not had a settled role during Amorim’s tenure and requested to leave on loan for the sake of minutes in the summer.

Mainoo is understood to be eager to represent England at the 2026 World Cup, given he started for the Three Lions in the Euro 2024 final, but he was last included in an England squad over a year ago.

Thomas Tuchel has explained that Mainoo must play regularly to be considered in his plans.

Meanwhile, the prospect of Mainoo dropping down to represent England’s U21s has been explored, with manager Lee Carsley revealing he’s been in contact with the United graduate.

When asked if Mainoo or Adam Wharton could play for England’s U21s, Carlsey explained to the Daily Mail: “They’re definitely in consideration. They’re in the senior bracket. I think it’s fair to say that they’re more senior end than 21s end. But I think there’s always the option.

“I’ve got in contact with both of them. So they’re players that are highly rated within the system. I think it’s one that we just assess every camp. I’m sure they’re both pitching to being in the senior team.”

Carsley expanded on players in a similar position: “It’s the same to all of the players. We pick them because they’re either playing really well at their clubs or we feel that they’ve got high potential.

“So we can’t dictate their playing time, what the clubs give them or the minutes that they play. But what we can do is, I can do that when they’re here with us. So I’ll make sure that they get well looked after and they get their minutes and hopefully send them back to their clubs in a strong position.”

Amorim has challenged Mainoo to fight for his place and he provided detailed thoughts on the youngster when he spoke at a press conference ahead of the Manchester derby.

“No, like a lot of guys, he wants to play more,” said Amorim when asked whether he’d seen a difference in Mainoo. “I didn’t have a conversation with him before the window closed – I did this week.

“Because I don’t want Kobbie Mainoo thinking that I was having any conversation with him just to hold on to him. I don’t want that feeling. I believe a lot in Kobbie, but some of you think that Kobbie Mainoo is already done (the finished article). I think he can do so much better, he can improve in a lot.

“I think for some guys it is enough (their talent), but for him it is not enough. Maybe it’s not fair, but I think I’m helping Kobbie Mainoo, and that’s it. He will have opportunities like the other guys.

“If I feel during the week that someone is the best player to play, then he is going to play. And that I proved already to every player here. So I believe in him a lot… I have the same thing that you have: that he is a top, top player, but he can be so much better. So I’m focused on that.”

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