[Getty Images]BBCTue, December 2, 2025 at 12:06 PM UTC·1 min readManchester United "need to let Kobbie Mainoo go on loan" in January, according to The Devils' Advocate co-host Joe McGrath.
The midfielder played just four minutes of Sunday's victory at Crystal Palace - one of only nine appearances in the Premier League this season, none of them starts.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementUnited boss Ruben Amorim told the 20-year-old earlier in the campaign that he is effectively competing with captain Bruno Fernandes for the number eight role in his team.
That was against this backdrop that Mainoo asked to leave Old Trafford on loan this summer in a bid to maximise his chances of making England's World Cup squad.
"It's upsetting," said McGrath on this week's episode of the BBC Radio Manchester podcast. "In January, he goes on loan.
"We had a player worth - and is still worth - £80m or £90m. A young England international. He's so good. We can't let his standards drop and we need to let him go on loan.
"Maybe he'll get a chance during Afcon, but I'll be upset if this is the end."
Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
