Kobbie Mainoo’s future at Manchester United remains a mystery as Napoli’s sporting director, Giovanni Manna, broke his silence on the England international.
Although there has been an improvement in results since the beginning of October, there is still a lot of work to be done at Manchester United.
Questions are asked of Ruben Amorim’s team every week, with the biggest topic of conversation surrounding his unwillingness to give Kobbie Mainoo a run of games.
Amorim will argue that he has settled on his preferred midfield pivot of Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro, who are more experienced – but that hasn’t stopped criticism from Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt.
After requesting to leave United on loan in the summer, Mainoo has been linked with a move away in January. There are fears from United fans that the club could lose one of its most talented academy graduates.
There will be no shortage of interest if Mainoo becomes available in January.
Kobbie Mainoo getting fouled against Wolves
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
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Napoli chief comments on Kobbie Mainoo speculation
Napoli have been linked to Mainoo since the summer.
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Ever since it was reported that Mainoo had fears over his game time under Amorim, it emerged that Napoli would be keen on signing the young midfielder.
Napoli took advantage of United’s willingness to sell Scott McTominay before the Scotland international helped deliver the Serie A title in his first season. The Naples outfit would be hoping for similar results if they were to sign Mainoo.
Giovanni Manna, Napoli’s sporting director, spoke to Sky Sport before their 2-0 Champions League defeat to Benfica on Wednesday night.
“He’s a player who’s been linked to Napoli since August, partly because of his age, prospects, and opportunities,” Manna said, as quoted by Tuttomercatoweb.
“But the team is doing well and has consolidated. We have some significant absences, but sooner or later our players will return, strong and determined. We need to make the right assessments, and we’ll see how things go along.”
McTominay wasn’t the only former United player in the Napoli line-up against Jose Mourinho’s Benfica. United loanee, Rasmus Hojlund, led the line but was unable to have an impact on the game.
Things change quickly in football, and one injury could see Mainoo back starting in the team.
Push comes to shove: Would you rather have Kobbie Mainoo stay at Man Utd or Ruben Amorim?
Kobbie Mainoo and Ruben Amorim split
Credit: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
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Kobbie Mainoo not getting enough minutes for England call-up
Mainoo needs to be playing regular football if he is to get a call-up for next summer’s World Cup.
Unless there is a big improvement, Mainoo is running out of time to impress Thomas Tuchel before he names his Three Lions squad.
Mainoo has played just 183 minutes in the Premier League this season and is expected to be challenging the likes of United-linked Adam Wharton for a place in the squad.
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