Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is being tipped for a potential sensational switch to Spanish giants Barcelona, with a former Premier League star suggesting he may already be sounding out former teammate Marcus Rashford about life at the Camp Nou.
Mendieta's La Liga Endorsement for Mainoo
The speculation comes from ex-Middlesbrough and Spain international Gaizka Mendieta, who believes the 20-year-old England prospect would be perfectly suited to the style of Spain's top flight. Mainoo has endured a frustrating season at Old Trafford, failing to start a single Premier League game under the recently departed manager Ruben Amorim.
"Could Kobbie Mainoo go abroad and be a success? We've seen it happen," Mendieta told BOYLE Sports. "Players can go abroad and it motivates them to be successful. Mainoo is an exciting young player and I think La Liga would really suit him."
A Reunion with Rashford in Catalonia?
Mendieta went further, hinting that Mainoo might already be exploring the possibility of a move. "He might well have been in contact with Marcus Rashford about joining Barcelona," Mendieta said. "Who knows if they could play together again. As a football fan, I would be excited to see Mainoo in Spain."
Rashford secured a dream transfer to Barcelona last summer and has flourished, registering seven goals and 11 assists so far, his best return since the 2022-23 season. His success, along with that of other United exports like Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund at Napoli, provides a compelling precedent for Mainoo considering his future away from Manchester.
Pressure to Perform at Old Trafford
Mainoo's immediate focus will be on reclaiming a starting spot at United following Amorim's exit. With Under-18s coach Darren Fletcher now in interim charge, the midfielder will hope for more opportunities after coming off the bench against Burnley this week. A strong second half of the season is crucial for his ambitions of making England's squad for next summer's World Cup.
However, former United striker Michael Owen has warned that the responsibility now lies squarely with the player. "Now it's down to Mainoo," Owen told Metro. "He's got to take that opportunity because if the next manager doesn't play him... then at some point, a little bit like Marcus Rashford, those doubts might start to creep in. He's got to now prove that Amorim was wrong by not playing him."
With the managerial situation at United in flux, Mainoo faces a critical period to either cement his place at his boyhood club or potentially seek a fresh start abroad, with Barcelona looming as a tantalising option.
