Manchester United could allow a star to leave next monthplaceholder image
Manchester United could allow a star to leave next month | Getty Images | X
Man Utd have some big decisions to make in the January transfer window and here is the latest news.
The 20-year-old is still unhappy with his reduced role at United this season and would be open to a loan departure next month. United rejected Mainoo's request to leave on loan during the final days of the summer window, with the homegrown midfielder desperate to play regularly in an effort to earn a World Cup call-up next summer.
Mainoo has yet to be named in an England squad under Thomas Tuchel and is well aware he will only be called up to the World Cup squad if he plays regularly at club level. He has yet to start a Premier League match this season and has only made 10 substitute appearances in the competition.
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Romano issues Mainoo transfer update
Manchester United are reluctant to allow Kobbie Mainoo to leave the club next month due to their shortage of options in central midfield.
Ruben Amorim only has four recognised central midfielders at his disposal and is well aware that one injury or suspension could give Mainoo the chance he desires. The 20-year-old is in direct competition with Bruno Fernandes for the same central midfield role in the United side and has not performed well enough when given the chance this season.
Taking to social media on Thursday morning, notorious transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano provided an update on Mainoo amid continued interest from Napoli in his signature. "Napoli remain among +10 clubs keen on Kobbie Mainoo since August, still very attentive to the situation," Romano wrote. "Deal depends on Man United decision as Amorim doesn’t want to lose players while many are away for the AFCON."
United are set to be without Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo due to the Africa Cup of Nations, though it is unclear whether they will be available to face AFC Bournemouth on Monday night.
What Amorim said about Mainoo last week
Speaking after last week's draw with West Ham, Ruben Amorim was asked if he understood why Kobbie Mainoo might feel demoralised by his lack of playing time. "I see it. I see it and I just want to win, I just put the players, I don’t look who it is, I don’t care about that, I just try to put the best players on the pitch," he said. "You have Ugarte that played two games, one of them, Case was out. Bruno is always fit, he’s the guy that is doing his position so maybe it has to do with that."
When asked if Mainoo could get a chance when other players are away at the Africa Cup of Nations, Amorim added: "I don’t know. I don’t know. It’s the same question. I don’t know what is going to happen. It depends. If I see in the training it is the best thing, I will put it. That is the only way I know how to respond to that."
Amorim was then asked if he understood that there was extra interest in Mainoo's lack of playing time due to the fact he is a homegrown player. He continued: "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 when I feel I shouldn’t put Kobbie."
There was then a tense moment when Amorim was asked if he actually trusted the club's academy players, to which he responded, "Why?" When it was suggested he didn't pick any academy players to play, he insisted, "We have Kobbie Mainoo."
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