'3 my boy' - Chelsea star Cole Palmer suggests he wants England team-mate Kobbie Mainoo 'freed' from Man Utd in cryptic message after midfielder's failed summer exit

Mainoo remained an unused substitute in United's first two Premier League matches of the 2025-26 campaign and only made his first league appearance of the new season in the club's 3-2 win over Burnley as he came off the bench. In Amorim's 3-4-3 system, Mainoo is competing with club captain Bruno Fernandes for a place in the starting line-up, which has naturally reduced his game time.

With less than a year left until the 2026 World Cup, Mainoo is eyeing a return to the England national team, and as a result, he cannot afford to miss out on regular minutes. The Red Devils youth product thus pushed for a summer loan move elsewhere, but he was denied by the club during the transfer window.

After failing to make it into Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the September World Cup qualifiers, Mainoo is sweating it out on the training field. On Friday, he shared a post on Instagram featuring his workouts with the caption: "Nothing pretty". In the comment section, Chelsea star Palmer dropped a cryptic message, which left the fans wondering if he wants Mainoo to be freed by United. Palmer's comment read: "3 my boy."

The United sensation will hope to get some game time in the upcoming derby as Amorim's side next face rivals Manchester City on September 14 in the Premier League.