Man Utd star ‘might be in contact' with Marcus Rashford over stunning Barcelona transfer

Rashford has been a hit in Spain since leaving United (Picture: Getty)

Kobbie Mainoo may be sounding out a move to Spain by reaching out to his former Manchester United teammate Marcus Rashford , according to ex-Premier League star Gaizka Mendieta.

Mainoo, 20, has endured a difficult season at Old Trafford , failing to start a single Premier League game under Ruben Amorim . The midfielder had been pushing to leave Old Trafford on loan this month but Amorim’s exit this week is expected to change that situation with Under-18s head coach Darren Fletcher stepping in on an interim basis.

Mainoo came off the bench midweek against Burnley and having shaken off a knock that has sidelined him for the last three games, will surely have a bigger role to play in the second-half of the season.

Napoli were eager to sign Mainoo with Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund both thriving at the Serie A giants having left United. Rashford was also among the clutch of players to leave last summer, securing a dream move to Barcelona.

The forward has been a hit in Spain, scoring seven times and providing 11 assists in what has been his best return since the 2022-23 campaign.

Mainoo meanwhile will be desperate to rediscover form and force his way back into the England squad ahead of next summer’s World Cup.

But former Spain international Mendieta believes La Liga would be a fine option for the United star should things not work out in Manchester.

Mainoo did not start a league game under Amorim (Picture: Getty)

The former Middlesbrough star also suggests Mainoo may even tap up Rashford to get the verdict on life in Spain – and even join him at Barcelona.

‘Could Kobbie Mainoo go abroad and be a success? We’ve seen it happen,’ Mendieta told BOYLE Sports, who offer the latest football odds .

‘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.

‘He might well have been in contact with Marcus Rashford about joining Barcelona. Who knows if they could play together again, as a football fan, I would be excited to see Mainoo in Spain.’

Mainoo will hope to have chances to prove his worth again at his boyhood club, be it under Flecther, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or Michael Carrick for the remainder of the season.

But another former United star in Michael Owen has warned he cannot expect to be gifted a place back in the side and has ‘no more excuses’ if things don’t work out.

Like Rashford did, Mainoo has grown frustrated at United (Picture: Getty)

‘Now it’s down to Mainoo,’ Owen told Metro this week. ‘It’s all right blaming people, but of course, his time is now going to come and he’s got to take it.

‘He’s got to take that opportunity because if the next manager doesn’t play him and the next manager doesn’t bring him on much, then at some point, a little bit like Marcus Rashford, those doubts might start to creep in.