Cole Palmer sends message to Kobbie Mainoo as Chelsea transfer claim is made

Chelsea ace Cole Palmer has delivered a message to Kobbie Mainoo following the Manchester United youngster's failed attempt to secure a loan exit. Mainoo, 20, is understood to have sought a temporary move away from Old Trafford during the final days of the summer transfer window after growing frustrated with his limited playing time.

Mainoo, who was linked with a move to Chelsea earlier this year, remained an unused substitute for the second successive Premier League fixture in United's 1-1 draw away to Fulham. And Ruben Amorim later said his young midfielder is in direct competition with Bruno Fernandes for a starting berth.

Matters deteriorated further for the England international when he featured in United's embarrassing League Cup second-round elimination at the hands of Grimsby Town. While Chelsea have been connected with the player in the past, the Blues opted against making any formal approach during the summer window.

The midfielder recently shared an image of himself conducting individual training sessions during the international break, accompanied by a mysterious picture from acclaimed film Whiplash. The image depicted the moment protagonist Andrew punched through his drum kit, seemingly indicating his growing frustration with his current circumstances.

Palmer is also missing from England's squad owing to a groin issue he suffered prior to Chelsea's emphatic 5-1 triumph over West Ham. And he subsequently replied with his own intriguing message beneath Mainoo's social media post.

The former Manchester City playmaker commented "3 my boy" alongside a love heart emoji. Some have suggested this was a thinly veiled urge to "free" Mainoo and indicated he ought to consider departing Old Trafford, though Palmer's actual intentions remain open to speculation.

Mainoo featured in all but two of England's fixtures en route to the Euro 2024 final last summer, including the decider against Spain itself. Despite key figures such as Jude Bellingham, Adam Wharton, Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden being unavailable due to injury or omission, Tuchel opted against including Mainoo in his squad.

Much like his situation at Old Trafford, the promising playmaker faces an uphill battle to establish himself in Tuchel's team. And at club level, Amorim's commitment to his 3-4-3 system means Mainoo must either oust Fernandes or Casemiro, a player upon whom the United manager has depended since arriving at Old Trafford.

It represents a considerable challenge for the United youth product given Fernandes serves as United's skipper and is arguably the club's most valuable star. Addressing Mainoo's absence against Fulham, Amorim explained: "Mainoo is fighting for his position with Bruno. I changed two midfielders.

"I left Mason Mount there because we wanted to score a goal and when I changed, I felt the team needed one holding midfielder. So he needs to fight for his position. At the moment he is fighting in training with Bruno for the position."

During the Red Devils' tight 3-2 home win against Burnley, Amorim chose to field Mainoo over Ugarte, hinting the young player has moved a step closer to being in the manager's plans. He has earned 10 international caps for England since earning his debut in the 1-0 home defeat to Brazil in March 2024.

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