Why Manchester United have left Kobbie Mainoo out of their Premier League squad list

Manchester United fans may be wondering why Kobbie Mainoo was not named in the club’s official Premier League squad for the season.

Official Premier League squad lists are being submitted following the end of the summer transfer window, and Man Utd have formalised their 23-man list for all game until the opening of the January transfer window.

And some big-name players like Mainoo and Lenny Yoro were absent.

But, United fans, fear not.

Simply put, the Man United midfielder is classed as an Under-21 player and as such doesn’t need to be included in an official Premier League squad list.

Having been born on or after January 1, 2005, Mainoo is still eligible to play in the Premier League regardless of his names not being on the register.

Premier League rules state that teams can have up to 25 players on their squad lists, including 17 or less players who don’t fulfill ‘homegrown player’ criteria.

Home grown players named in Man United’s squad list include Marcus Rashford, Amad Diallo and Mason Mount. Homegrown players are defined as players who have been registered to a club affiliated with the FA for three full seasons before their 21st birthday. If they turn 21 during their third season, the date is extended until the end of the campaign.

Another player who has included by Man Utd is Manuel Ugarte, despite picking up a long term injury at the World Cup and not expected to play until well into the second half of the season.