Why Nmecha transfer is NOT Amorim's Mainoo replacement at Man Utd

Suraj Radia

• Updated: 20 Mar 2025 20:46 GMT
• 4 min read

Analysis

Manchester United could already be planning for life without Kobbie Mainoo after identifying a potential signing to replace the want-away midfielder this summer.

Mainoo shocked United by rejecting a new contract in recent weeks, with speculation that the 19-year-old may seek a move abroad instead of extending his deal at Old Trafford.

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Although United see Mainoo as their brightest young talent, having come through the academy, the club are open to his sale due to their ongoing struggles with PSR rules and the ‘pure profit’ the teenager would represent on the books.

With the likes of Chelsea and Bayern Munich linked to the €60 million-rated wonderkid, United have already run the rule of a replacement, with their attention reportedly turning to Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha.

Compared

Kobbie Mainoo

M, DM (C)

Man Utd

Kobbie Mainoo

M, DM (C)

Man Utd

VS

Felix Nmecha

M, DM (C)

Dortmund

Felix Nmecha

M, DM (C)

Dortmund

€54.8M	ETV	€31.2M
€41.1M - €68.5M	ETV Range	€28.1M - €34.3M
19 years old (19 Apr, 2005)	Age	24 years old (10 Oct, 2000)
England	Nationality	Germany

German outlet BILD claim that United are ready to submit an offer of around €48m to for the former Manchester City midfielder as they seek a player suited to play in the heart of Ruben Amorim’s system.

But is Nmecha the answer for Amorim? Or should United have concerns over the German international as they look to completely restructure their sign after a disastrous season.

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Is Nmecha worth the gamble for Manchester United?

Having moved to Manchester at a young age, Nmecha came through City’s academy but made just two appearances in all competitions and eventually joined Dortmund in 2023 €30m from rivals Wolfsburg, where he kick-started his career.

Nmecha has established himself as a physical, tough-tackling midfielder who has proved essential for Dortmund this season after an underwhelming debut season where he made just ten league starts.

According to SciSports, who use data-driven analytics to provide statistics of a players, Mainoo and Nmecha are not too dissimilar, which the Dortmund star perhaps understandably demonstrating a more refined game compared to the United youngster.

However, Nmecha is seen as a defensive stalwart who may not contribute much creatively but is still an assured passer compared to Mainoo and other Premier League midfielders, while also capable of providing a goal threat from outside the box.

Nmecha’s playing ability has not raised many questions during his time in Germany but the 24-year-old attracted controversy for homophobic social media posts in the past and United may be hesitant for more bad PR after a turbulent year under their INEOS regime.

A suitable alternative for United, according to SciSports, would be Ederson, who the Red Devils have extensively scouted and who has been a star for Atalanta in both attack and defence, while also only having an Expected Transfer Value (ETV) of €57.6m.

Compared

Felix Nmecha

M, DM (C)

Dortmund

Felix Nmecha

M, DM (C)

Dortmund

VS

Éderson

M (C)

Atalanta

Éderson

M (C)

Atalanta

2024/2025

Season Statistics

2024/2025

29	Appearances	40
4	Goals	4
2	Assists	1
1861	Minutes Played	3243
16	Key Passes	37
28	Interceptions	39
1141	Passes	2088
18	Shots Total	43
49	Tackles	50

Although Nmecha would certainly be an improvement to United’s midfield, his game may be too one-sided for a two-man midfield, without taking into account any off-the-pitch trouble the signing could cause.

But United are, understandably, exploring their options to replace Mainoo and, although they still retain hope of keeping him, the club know they have many options to choose from with plenty of time to make a decision ahead of the summer.