Just in: Sky Sports reveals Man Utd have made Kobbie Mainoo January decision | OneFootball

Manchester United have reportedly decided to block the departure of Kobbie Mainoo, who has been hoping to seal a January move.

The Englishman wasn’t in the matchday squad for Sunday’s Premier League contest against Aston Villa, as he had suffered a minor calf problem the previous day. Therefore, he could only watch his teammates suffer a 1-2 defeat from afar.

Nevertheless, the Englishman’s time could come sooner rather than later, as his captain, Bruno Fernandes, suffered an injury at Villa Park.

The Portuguese playmaker initially grit his teeth to make it until the half-time whistle, but was inevitably hooked at the interval, with Lisandro Martinez forced to act as a makeshift midfielder.

Man Utd will block the departure of Kobbie Mainoo due to Bruno’s injury

While it remains to be seen how long the skipper will remain on the sidelines, Sky Sports believes Mainoo’s fate has already been sealed.

(Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Since the start of the season, Ruben Amorim had identified Mainoo as Bruno’s understudy. While this meant that the 20-year-old’s playing time has been heavily jeopardised, it also means that United cannot afford to part ways with him while the skipper is unavailable.

“Ruben Amorim has said that he wants Kobbie Mainoo to stay. He has maintained that he has to perform and convince him that he should be in the team ahead of Bruno Fernandes,” explained Dharmesh Sheth during his appearance on Sky Sports News.

“Whenever he is asked why Mainoo can’t get in the team, it’s because Ruben Amorim says he is competing with Bruno Fernandes in the team.

“With Fernandes maybe out for some of January, you can’t imagine a scenario now where Manchester United to allow Mainoo to go.”

Mainoo must shift his attention from the market to the pitch

Since the start of the season, Mainoo realised that playing time would be hard to come by, which is why he requested a loan move in August.

The young midfielder is said to be even more determined to seal a move in January. The lack of suitors certainly won’t be an issue, with more than ten clubs said to be interested in Mainoo’s services, and chief among them Napoli.

However, as long as Bruno is out of action, the England international can forget about a mid-season departure. But on the plus side, he should finally get the run he’s been craving for, and it will be up to him to prove he’s worthy of additional time, even with a healthy Fernandes in the team.