Richard Keys has issued an update on the future of Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo amid links to West Ham United.
The 20-year-old has struggled for game time at Old Trafford under Ruben Amorim this season.
Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro have been Amorim’s go-to options in midfield, putting Mainoo’s future in jeopardy.
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Richard Keys slams Amorim treatment of Mainoo at Manchester United
Keys, a beIN Sports broadcaster, is far from pleased with how Amorim has treated Mainoo at Manchester United.
He believes that the Portuguese not picking the England international because he’s not mobile enough is “nonsense”, especially as he starts Casemiro, who is considerably slower.
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Due to his treatment of the midfielder, Keys claims that the 20-year-old will be on the move in the January transfer window.
West Ham want to sign Mainoo, but the former Sky Sports host does not see him moving to the London Stadium.
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In his view, the Manchester United fan is likely to move to a European club.
If Napoli are to come up with the funds, he believes that Mainoo would love to move there and join Scott McTominay, another Manchester United academy product.
In his blog, Keys wrote: “I learned at the weekend why Amorim won’t play Mainoo, who sadly will leave United now – probably in January.
“Amorim believes he can’t get round the pitch – that Mainoo isn’t mobile enough. I’ve heard some baffling nonsense from this generation of coaches (I give you Wilfried Nancy after Celtic’s defeat to Hearts) and this is right up there. Not mobile enough? So Amorim picks Casemiro instead? If it wasn’t so sad it would be laughable.
“Mainoo, a United product, will leave the club now because it looks likely his advisors’ game plan has failed – that Mainoo would be at United beyond Amorim.
“Paul Scholes is right. It’s criminal. Mainoo’s likely destination is Europe. I’ll narrow it down – if Napoli come up with the money he’ll join Scott McTominay, who should never have been allowed to leave Old Trafford either.”
Will Mainoo consider moving to West Ham United?
Mainoo wants to represent England and be a regular for the Three Lions for the foreseeable future.
He would also want to be on the plane for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but for that, he needs to be playing regularly.
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Nuno Espirito Santo, Manager of West Ham United, looks on after the Premier League match between Manchester United and West Ham United at Old Trafford on December 4, 2025 in Manchester, England. Manager Graham Potter, the manager of West Ham, looks on during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur at the London Stadium in Stratford, United Kingdom, on September 13, 2025. West Ham United manager Nuno Espírito Santo during the post match press conference during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and West Ham United at Vitality Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Bournemouth, England.
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The chances of him being noticed by Thomas Tuchel in the Premier League are higher than if he were playing in the Serie A.
While Tuchel will keep tabs on players he really admires, there does not seem to be that kind of fondness for the Manchester United player.
However, if he puts in consistent performances constantly at the London Stadium, even if he moves there on loan, the England manager will have no choice but to consider selecting him.
A move to West Ham will benefit all parties and Nuno needs to ring up Mainoo and convince him to join the club in the coming weeks.
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