Why Mainoo isn’t included in Manchester United’s squad submitted to UEFA
Abdullateef Fowewe
Manchester United has submitted their 25-man List A squad to UEFA for the 2026/27 Champions League, and young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is among the notable absentees.
The omission has prompted questions from fans, but it does not prevent him from featuring in the competition.
Clubs had until Wednesday evening to lodge their main squad lists for the league phase.
United named the maximum of 25 players, including summer signings such as Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, as well as established names like Bruno Fernandes, Matthijs de Ligt and Marcus Rashford.
Defender Leny Yoro is also absent from the List A alongside Mainoo, Dailyeconomy reports.
Under UEFA regulations, players born on or after 1 January 2005 who have been eligible to play for the club for two consecutive years since their 15th birthday (or three years including a limited loan) qualify for List B.
There is no upper limit on List B registrations, and these players do not count against the 25-player List A cap.
List B names are submitted to UEFA no later than the day before each match.
Mainoo, born in April 2005 and a long-term product of United’s academy, meets the criteria.
The same applies to Yoro. By placing them on List B rather than using List A slots, United free up places for senior or non-qualifying players.
Younger prospects such as Ayden Heaven and Tynan Thompson appear on the List A because they have not yet accumulated the required eligibility period for List B.
The List A is locked for the league phase, though clubs that reach the knockouts can register up to three additional players by early February 2027.
Mainoo and Yoro remain fully eligible and can be called up for any Champions League fixture once registered on the relevant List B.
United return to the competition with a home fixture against Sabah FK next week, followed by matches against sides including Bayern Munich, Atlético Madrid and Roma.
The decision is purely administrative and follows standard UEFA squad rules designed to protect opportunities for club-trained youth players while giving teams flexibility in their senior squad selection.
