Unloved

ONE year ago, having nicely slotted into England’s midfield at Euro 2024, it seemed Kobbie Mainoo could do no wrong.

But now the Manchester United star is already at a crossroads in his career at the age of 20 — with only the love of the fans for comfort.

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After joining United at the age of six, the thought of Mainoo leaving Old Trafford is unthinkable for many supporters.

But the Stockport lad continues to face a brutal battle to secure a spot in the 4-3-2-1 system of manager Ruben Amorim.

His emergence in the 2023–24 season under former boss Erik ten Hag felt like the long-awaited unveiling of United’s next midfield maestro.

Mainoo — who, along with Alejandro Garnacho, became the first teenager to score in the FA Cup final since Cristiano Ronaldo’s strike against Millwall in 2004 — was considered the future of the club.

Weeks after his Wembley triumph, Mainoo’s vision and composure solved Gareth Southgate’s midfield conundrum during England’s surge to the Euros final.

He was regarded as one of Europe’s brightest talents.

That was highlighted by his third-place finish in last year’s Kopa Trophy, which is awarded to the world’s best under-21 talent and was won by Lamine Yamal.

But the youngster suffered the first major setback of his career just months after the Euros as he missed 17 games when fatigue brought about two different muscle injuries.

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And Mainoo, whose contract talks stalled months ago, now has two new managers to impress in Amorim and Thomas Tuchel — and it seems the former is not keen at all.

Unlike ex-England boss Southgate, Amorim seems to lack faith in the academy graduate to fix United’s midfield mess.

In the week former Red Devils star Scott McTominay earned a Ballon d’Or nod, Amorim ramped up his search for upgrades on Manuel Ugarte, 24, and veteran Casemiro, 33.

That search led United to make contact with Brighton about a potential move for 21-year-old holding midfielder Carlos Baleba, who the Seagulls value at £100million.

Mainoo, who has beefed his body up this summer, looked at home as a No 8 for two pre-season games during their US tour.

But new arrivals Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha are set to start the season as the two No 10s, meaning skipper Bruno Fernandes is expected to make a permanent switch to a deeper midfield role.

The only reasonable spot left for Mainoo would be next to Fernandes in the double pivot — but Casemiro and Ugarte seem to hold favour there.

With United out of Europe, there will not be as many opportunities to play in the reduced schedule.

MAN UTD PLAYER RATINGS: Bryan Mbeumo eases pressure on Bruno Fernandes but Matheus Cunha lacks sharpness vs Fiorentina

BRYAN MBEUMO showed fans what they’ve been missing as Manchester United beat Fiorentina 5-4 on penalties in their final pre-season friendly.

United were a mixed bag in their final summer warm-up game- and the only one at Old Trafford – before the start of the new season next Sunday.

United unveiled their four new signings but it was Benjamin Sesko – who was announced from RB Leipzig before kick-off – that got the loudest roar from fans.

And this match proved how much they needed him…

Here’s how SunSport’s Man Utd reporter Katherine Walsh rated the players…

And if Mainoo keeps warming the bench, it does not bode well for his chances of making Three Lions boss Tuchel’s squad for the World Cup next summer.

Mainoo got the last 20 minutes of United’s final pre-season friendly against Fiorentina on Saturday, before his team-mates made a beeline for him after he scored the penalty-shootout winner after a 1-1 draw.

It has gone quiet on the new contract and bumped-up wages front for Mainoo.

The club have struggled to nail him down to fresh terms, with Chelsea and Tottenham now waiting with open arms.

While fellow Cup final scorer and academy graduate Garnacho is up for sale, losing Mainoo would be a devastating blow.

He is a Mancunian through-and-through and a boyhood fan.

With the 1958 United supporter group set to protest against Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazers before Sunday’s Prem opener against Arsenal, their outrage would pale in comparison to the grief of losing Mainoo — and especially to a rival.

Man Utd’s transfer deals

IN

• Bryan Mbeumo – from Brentford – £71m
• Matheus Cunha – from Wolves – £62.5m
• Diego Leon – from Cerro Porteno – £7m

TOTAL – £140.5m

OUT

• Victor Lindelof – released
• Christian Eriksen – released

TOTAL – £0m

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A beautiful seaside village in the UK has been named one of the best in the country despite it being ‘underrated’ – and it’s the perfect holiday retreat for this summer

A town in the UK “that doesn’t get the love it deserves” has been named among the best places in the country.

Hastings in Sussex is a beautiful seaside town on the south coast of England. It has a population of 91,000 people and a convenient one hour 23 minute train ride to the capital. It is also a good holiday destination for those who don’t want to hop on a plane and travel hundreds of miles from home.

For a bit of context and history, the town’s name comes from the Battle of Hastings, which took place in 1066. The battle resulted in a Norman victory, which marked a turning point in English history and the start of the Norman Conquest.

READ MORE: Discover the hidden market town near one of UK’s most beautiful cities

Despite being a great spot for those seeking a coastal holiday, it seems to be quite underrated despite the many good things it has to offer, such as its extensive history and beaches.

Travel company Rough Guides has included Hastings in the list of 30 best seaside towns in the UK. The site said: “Whether you want nice beaches in England, pebble bays in Wales or coastal artists’ retreats in Scotland, the UK certainly doesn’t disappoint when it comes to seaside towns.”

The site also claimed that despite its rank on the list, the town “doesn’t get the love it deserves”.

Things to do in Hastings, Sussex

One thing about Hastings is that you’ll never get bored of it. There are so many activities, both for children and adults, to suit all different preferences. The main attractions are the Hastings Castle, the Hasting Piers and, of course, a visit to the Old Town.

For those who like history, there are plenty of museums where visitors can learn about the town’s history and the shipwrecks in the English Channel. Some of the key places are the Shipwreck Museum, Hastings Fishermen’s Museum Hastings Museum and Art Gallery.

However, if you’re looking to relax in the sounds of the beach waves, the beach stretches from the Old Town to Bulverhythe and has a mixture of sand and pebbles. For example, Pelham Beach is a popular spot for those travelling with small children. Alternatively, Stade Beach and St Leonards On Sea Beach are great for sunbathing and other water activities.

READ MORE: UK tourists urged to carry ‘game-changing’ item with them to the beach

Hastings also has the UK’s largest beach-based fishing fleet, and the town praised for its “ultra-fresh seafood”. Many restaurants specialise in fresh, locally sourced seafood, offering the best fish and chips to other delicious platters, ensuring that locals and visitors have a wide variety of things to eat.

Despite being ‘underrated’, Hastings welcomes around 63,000 visitors a year with around 3.8 million tourism day trips, as the Hastings Town Deal reported. So, if you’re thinking of visiting a new place that doesn’t involve taking a plane and has a lot of things to do, Hastings is the place for you.