What does Mainoo’s situation say about modern Man United?
Talk of the Devils: The Athletic FC's Manchester United show
The Athletic
4.6 • 771 Ratings
🗓️ 11 December 2025
⏱️ 54 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Kobbie Mainoo, whether or not he should be allowed to leave the club, and how to accommodate his talents into a system that doesn't seem naturally suited to them. It is a debate that has come to represent more than just the future of one capable young footballer. Where do we stand now, what is likely to happen next, and how do we feel about it?
The next generation of Manchester United's academy moved safely through to the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup. At just 15, JJ Gabriel scored the goal in a 1-0 win over Peterborough at Old Trafford. The youngest ever representative of the club in this competition, he has already trained with the first team and possesses plenty of talent. Will he be able to emulate the career of his idol, Neymar? (spoiler alert; we've no idea).
Next up in the Premier League, in another Monday night fixture, the dreaded Bournemouth will be the visitors. Let's hope Amorim's team are able to provide more festive cheer than in the previous two December meetings.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | The Athletic F.C. |
| 0:18.7 | This is Talk the Devils, the Athletic Show, dedicated to Manchester United. |
| 0:22.7 | Coming up today, Cobby May News' future is under increasing scrutiny at the moment |
| 0:27.3 | as the January transfer window looms. |
| 0:29.4 | We'll have the very latest on his situation. |
| 0:32.5 | JJ Gabriel shined as Manchester United won in the FA Youth Cup at Old Trafford. |
| 0:37.2 | Carl and Laurie were there to see it. |
| 0:38.6 | We'll get into the details on that. |
| 0:40.4 | And we'll also preview Monday night football again at home, this time against Bournemouth |
| 0:46.1 | that's coming up. |
| 0:47.3 | We're looking to all the details of how Manchester United is shaping up for that. |
| 0:51.3 | And it's a full house. |
| 0:52.6 | Very nice to have you back, Carl. |
| 0:54.0 | Andy and Laurie are here again as well well let's get straight into it because cobbie mayne who has been |
| 0:59.5 | an issue a talking point really throughout this season already laur you've written pieces on him |
| 1:06.0 | a few times already but we had one last week which which gave the very latest, as we understand it, |
| 1:11.9 | on his future at Old Trafford. What is it? Yeah, so this is something that really it's had |
| 1:16.6 | really after the West Ham game where he wasn't used and there was a tense press conference |
| 1:21.2 | after the game with Reuben Amarin. I think probably is testiest that we've had really since |
| 1:26.1 | he's coming to the club and there's been a few. |
| 1:28.7 | But yeah, I think the copy mainly issue, certainly he was responding to in a way that was combative, |
| 1:34.6 | you know, not really wanting to justify to journalists asking the question about his selection or otherwise. |
... |
Please login to see the full transcript.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from The Athletic, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of The Athletic and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.