Manchester United could allow a star player to leave next monthplaceholder image
Manchester United could allow a star player to leave next month | Manchester United via Getty Images
Man Utd have some difficult decisions to make as we approach the January transfer window.
The 20-year-old is unhappy with his lack of playing time this season and has still yet to start a Premier League match during the current campaign. Mainoo had a loan request rejected in the final days of the summer and is desperate to play regular football in an attempt to secure a place in the England World Cup squad.
Mainoo has not received an international call-up since Thomas Tuchel took charge and knows his only chance of one is if he is a key player at club level. It has been reported this week United are reluctant to allow the academy graduate to leave the club and would only do so if an 'exceptional' offer were to arrive. A January exit is deemed highly unlikely due to United's lack of senior options in central midfield.
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Napoli director quizzed on Mainoo move
Napoli are one of the sides interested in a potential move for Kobbie Mainoo if he were to become available for transfer next year. Manchester United sources have reiterated the midfielder is still integral to their plans under Ruben Amorim and they have reiterated it would only take one injury or suspension for him to be given a run in the starting line up.
That could very well happen this weekend with Mainoo a contender to start in place of the suspended Casemiro at Villa Park on Sunday afternoon. The 20-year-old will have to play well if he is to justify his starting role, while there will be fresh transfer speculation if he doesn't start this weekend.
Mainoo is certain to be a big story this weekend and ahead of the fixtures, Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna was quizzed on a move for the United star. Speaking ahead of their 2-0 victory over AC Milan in the Supercoppa Italiana, Manna told Sportmediaset a move for Mainoo could depend on when their injured players return to action.
"We're certainly happy that Romelu has returned to the team," he began. "He's not yet fit to play, even the coach said so, but he's a strong player, he helps us. We're happy, he's important to us, we'll see how his condition improves in the coming weeks."
"Mainoo? I've always said we need to be very thoughtful and cautious in the January transfer window. We have strong players out who will return sooner or later. We need to make the right assessments, wait for the news in the next few days and then see what happens."
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