United View: Mainoo's future in doubt

Having won on their last eight top-flight visits to Craven Cottage, the odds were in Manchester United’s favour ahead of their clash with Fulham on Sunday, but things didn’t go quite as planned for the Reds. 

United could have been out of sight after a bright start in West London, but much like last season, missed chances would come back to haunt them. 

New signing Matheus Cunha came the closest early on, hitting the post after brilliant interplay with Mason Mount on the edge of the box before forcing a smart save from Bernd Leno moments later. 

After a long punt upfield from Altay Bayindir, the Brazilian plucked the ball out of the sky and was unlucky not to see his half volley find the back of the Fulham net. 

The Reds were then presented a golden opportunity to break the deadlock midway through the first half when referee Chris Kavanagh pointed to the spot after Calvin Bassey hauled Mason Mount to the floor, but this chance was wasted, with the ever-reliable Bruno Fernandes uncharacteristically blazing the ball into the stands. 

The second half was one of frustration. United took the lead from a corner when Leny Yoro’s header was turned into his own net by Rodrigo Muniz, but failed to hold on. 

With 15 minutes to go, Fulham drew level through substitute Emile Smith-Rowe, who ghosted in at the front post and poked the ball past Bayindir. 

The draw poses more questions than answers, with £70m striker Benjamin Šeško yet to make his first start for the club, and midfield star Kobbie Mainoo yet to play a single minute this season. 

With just days to go before the end of the summer transfer window, reports suggest the latter is open to a move away from Old Trafford, and that the club are willing to listen to offers for the 20-year-old. 

The fact this is even a discussion is a sad indictment of where the club is heading. 

United fans have had to put up with a lot over the last 12 months, but for many, myself included, selling Mainoo would be the final straw. 

Not only is he one the finest midfield talents the club has produced for decades, he embodies what Manchester United is all about, having been at the club since the age of nine.

The Stockport-born star’s current situation seems unfathomable considering his performances last season, most notably in the FA Cup final, where he scored and put in a man of the match performance against Manchester City at Wembley, before going on to start the European Championship final for England. 

A number of top European clubs are set to be monitoring Mainoo’s situation, including Real Madrid, which makes you wonder just how Ruben Amorim doesn’t see a future for him at the club. 

Elsewhere, in terms of incomings, the Reds look set to bring in a new goalkeeper before the deadline, with Royal Antwerp’s Senne Lammens linked with a move to Old Trafford. 

The 23-year-old Belgian has agreed personal terms and both clubs are set to reach an agreement on a fee within the region of £16m. 

Whilst he is unproven at the top level, Lammens will hopefully provide some much-needed competition for Andre Onana, as well as cover when the Cameroonian jets off to AFCON. 

Amorim’s reds will be hoping to avoid being on the end of a Carabao Cup giant-killing on Wednesday as they travel to League Two side Grimsby Town.