Roy Keane criticised Kobbie Mainoo’s older half-brother after the fan wore a T-shirt reading ‘Free Kobbie’ during Manchester United’s 4–4 draw with Bournemouth.

Mainoo has been used sparingly by Ruben Amorim this season and asked for a loan in the summer to aid his development. The academy graduate has started just one match, that appearance coming in the shock defeat to League Two Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup second round. Reports suggest Mainoo’s frustrations prompted a further loan request ahead of the January transfer window, although the Red Devils are prepared to permit a departure only if an “exceptional offer” arrives, according to a new report.

Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Keane was blunt about the actions of Mainoo’s sibling and about the midfielder’s immediate future. “When he’s got his idiot brother doing all that stuff—we shouldn’t even be giving his brother the time of day,” said the former United captain. “Because sometimes you’re just surrounded by idiots, especially in families.

“You come in after the match, and your brother did that … if my brother [had] done that, you would be looking at him going, ‘what are you doing?’ You would, and do you know what—do you think his brother’s done that without asking him?”

Keane also urged Mainoo to remain at Old Trafford and work for a first-team place rather than seeking an immediate exit. “He’s 20 years of age, what’s wrong with sitting and learning your trade? And even if he’s not getting a chance, we’ve all had to do it,” added the Irishman. “Sometimes a manager is on your case and what you have to do is prove them wrong. Every day is your chance to prove yourself to the manager. He’s got to get that in his mindset.

“The life of a footballer is about trying to prove people wrong. I have no problem players going out on loan, it can work for everybody, but sometimes as a player, your biggest challenge is here at Man Utd and getting into that first team.”

Manchester United are prepared to resist a midseason exit for Kobbie Mainoo unless an unusually large bid arrives. According to Sky Sports, the club will only consider a sale in the upcoming January transfer window in the event of an “exceptional offer.” Ideally, the club do not want to sell and would not permit the Stockport-born talent to go out on loan midway through the season.

Reports have made Mainoo’s desire to leave on loan public since late summer. The club reportedly rejected a loan request then and remain disinclined to allow it now. Napoli are named among his suitors and have been described as the player’s preferred destination, but interested parties are warned they could be disappointed unless they pay through the nose.

Ruben Amorim has stressed that there is nothing personal in consistently overlooking the player for starts this season, a year removed from his meteoric rise and heroic Euro 2024 contributions. The manager has also denied suggestions that he doesn’t rate him. The club view Mainoo as a “key part” of Amorim’s plans and believe he will continue to improve as he gains experience. It is noted that Mainoo has yet to reach 100 senior games for club and country, having played 94 to date.

Off-field attention added to the story after a stunt in the stands during the Bournemouth game. Jordan Mainoo-Hames, the player’s older half-sibling, unveiled a T-shirt in the stands at Old Trafford that read ‘Free Kobbie Mainoo’, posed for photographs and uploaded a snap to social media. Whether Mainoo was complicit in that action is unclear.

United’s stance is straightforward: they are not looking to move the academy graduate in January unless a transfer represents a rare, exceptional financial opportunity. For now, the club prefer to keep the young midfielder within their plans and reject temporary departures that would interrupt the season.

Casemiro appears to be approaching the end of his time at Manchester United, with Major League Soccer emerging as the most likely destination for next season. His Manchester United tenure has featured extremes: a positive start was followed by disciplinary setbacks, including two red cards in three Premier League appearances, and an injury-enforced absence that cost him much of his second campaign.

Ruben Amorim arrived wary of the former Real Madrid midfielder; for the first time in a decade, Casemiro had been robbed of his status as a guaranteed starter. He has since won the new head coach over and played a significant role as United reached the Europa League final. Only suspension has prevented Casemiro from starting every Premier League game this season.

There are practical concerns shaping United’s thinking. Age and a contract that is close to expiry are both factors. Bruno Fernandes recently said: “In England, when a player starts to approach 30, they start to think they need to remodel. It’s like the furniture.” The Daily Mail claim that there has been “little interest” from United over triggering the one-year extension baked into Casemiro’s lucrative contract, which is said to be worth a club-high £375,000 per week. Reports have suggested talks about a new deal at a reduced salary, while a move to MLS is being treated as a realistic option.

High-profile moves to MLS have provided a template. Lionel Messi’s success at Inter Miami has encouraged other established names to consider the United States late in their careers. The draft cites Thomas Müller at Vancouver Whitecaps, Son Heung-min at LAFC and even a link between Mohamed Salah and MLS during his dispute with Liverpool.

Casemiro is closing on his 34th birthday in February and is having an excellent individual campaign. Whether he will leave the European stage remains open. He would not be the only Manchester United midfielder facing uncertainty: Fernandes has added to the club’s unsettled environment with a recent declaration that he would be open to a move to La Liga or Serie A, and reports say his contract carries a release clause of £56.6 million for clubs outside the Premier League.