Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo is ready to leave the club in January to get more regular first-team football, according to The Athletic.
The Red Devils were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw at home against West Ham on Thursday night, with the England international an unused substitute for the game despite the club's struggles with breaking the Hammers down.
After the game, Ruben Amorim was criticised for his lack of offensive substitutions and asked who he should have brought on instead, seemingly ignoring Mainoo's existence, with the youngster one of just four senior players yet to start a Premier League game this season.
Mainoo Ready to Leave Man Utd
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After being left out of the West Ham game despite the team's needs, it has now emerged that Mainoo has told Man Utd chiefs that he would like to explore a loan exit in the January window.
The 20-year-old, who has been called 'unbelievable' by Gary Neville, hasn't started a single Premier League game so far this season. He asked to leave in the summer for more regular football after being told he was competing with captain Bruno Fernandes for a starting role, but Man Utd blocked the move.
However, after 171 minutes of action in the top-flight, he is now 'deeply frustrated' at his situation and will once again push for an exit in the new year as he hopes to push his way into Thomas Tuchel's England squad ahead of the World Cup.
Manchester United are not against the idea of letting him leave, but will wait until the end of the African Cup of Nations in January before making a final decision on whether to keep hold of him for the second half of the season, or allow him to depart.
Amorim Doesn't Rate Mainoo
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It's clear to everyone with eyes that Amorim isn't a fan of Mainoo, for whatever reason, and he is opting against using him whenever he has the opportunity.
It's a real shame considering how good Mainoo has been in his fledgling career, and the major issues that Man Utd have in possession, but it now seems inevitable that the young midfielder will leave at some point in 2026 unless there is a major change in thinking.
When asked about not using Mainoo after the West Ham draw, Amorim was very defensive about his decision:
“Of course I understand. My job is to answer but I am trying to answer always the same thing. And you ask me always the same thing.
“I understand what you are saying. You love Kobbie. He starts for England, but that doesn’t mean I need to put Kobbie (on) when I feel I shouldn’t put Kobbie (on).”
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim looks worried Related
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Manchester United were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by West Ham United on Thursday