Newcastle plot Mainoo raid as United squad reacts to Amorim’s treatment | OneFootball

Newcastle United are “keeping tabs” on Kobbie Mainoo as the midfielder continues to face an uncertain future under Ruben Amorim – and the Manchester United squad’s reaction has been revealed in an explosive report.

The dressing room is “perplexed”

Mainoo, 20, is yet to start a Premier League match this season, despite the struggles United have faced in midfield in the new campaign.

Amorim has chopped and changed between Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte as Bruno Fernandes’ partner in the engine room with the Portuguese coach yet to find the right balance.

The Red Devils’ position in the league table – 14th – after two losses, a draw and a solitary win against newly-promoted Burnley evidences this lack of harmony in the most important area of the pitch.

While Mainoo alone would not fix these midfield issues, Amorim’s reluctance to even use the academy graduate from the bench has been dumbfounding.

With United desperately pushing for a goal in the first two games of the season – the loss to Arsenal and the draw with Fulham – United’s head coach instead turned to players like Ugarte, Harry Maguire and Ayden Heaven.

Amorim has revealed Mainoo needs to “fight” for his place in the team with Bruno Fernandes as both players are pencilled in for the number eight role. But against the club’s captain and best player, this is a battle with only one winner.

Amorim’s approach towards Mainoo has been difficult to understand from the outside looking in.

But, according to talkSPORT, even the dressing room has been left “perplexed” over the “lack of faith” being shown towards a player who scored the winner in the FA Cup triumph over Manchestr City and started for England in the final of the Euros last year.

Newcastle on the hunt

A host of clubs expressed interest in signing Mainoo over the summer with the youngster actively pushing to leave Old Trafford on loan in the final week of the window.

United blocked an exit, however, stressing he remained an important part of the squad. But Amorim’s sparing use of the midfielder has done little to support this theory.

Newcastle were one team linked with a move for Mainoo – and the Magpies look set to renew their interest in January.

The report by talkSPORT reveals Newcastle are “keeping tabs” on the wantaway star with manager Eddie Howe “known to be an admirer”.

United are unlikely to entertain offers for Mainoo in January, as a replacement will be difficult to source in the winter window, but it is a damning indictment on the executive structure and coaching staff at Old Trafford that one of the club’s rivals even believes they have a shot at landing the academy starlet.

Featured image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images

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