Kobbie Mainoo could leave but United have set one condition | OneFootball

Manchester United fans have been taken aback by Ruben Amorim’s treatment of Kobbie Mainoo.

Once considered the brightest talent to have emerged out of Carrington, he was a regular under Erik ten Hag, scoring in the FA Cup final against Manchester City, while starring for England in the European Championships.

However, the current head coach does not seem to rate him at all, with the Englishman not starting a single game so far this Premier League season.

The 20-year-old had asked the club to leave in the summer, but INEOS had turned down that request, asking him to work harder to win back the coach’s trust.

Nothing much has changed, and with the 2026 World Cup just months away, the United academy graduate is keen to earn regular minutes, whether that be at Old Trafford or somewhere else.

Mainoo desperate for minutes

The England international is likely to ask to leave in January again, and multiple English and Italian clubs are chasing his signature.

Napoli are among those sides, with the Stockport-born midfielder keen to reunite with former teammates Rasmus Hojlund and Scott McTominay at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.

And as per La Gazzetta dello Sport, INEOS might be warming to the idea of letting Kobbie Mainoo leave, but they have set one crucial condition.

The Serie A champions will not be allowed to insert any option or obligation to buy in the loan agreement, which suits the Naples outfit as well. This also shows how highly-rated the starlet remains at the Theatre of Dreams.

“And this is where Napoli comes into play. Giovanni Manna has been following Mainoo for some time and appreciates his qualities. Summer interviews had been positive, and the player would have gladly accepted a loan move.

January exit on the cards

“Then the club’s plans changed, and the funds earmarked for a midfield reinforcement were channeled to Hojlund to address Lukaku’s injury. But Napoli’s desire is to add another player to the midfield, on loan, given the various investments already made.

“Mainoo is unhappy with this start to the season and is pushing for a January transfer, even on loan. The Englishman’s short-term goal, in fact, is to show off his skills and secure a place in Tuchel’s squad for the next World Cup.

“Manchester isn’t the right platform, but Napoli could be. The impression is that the deal could be successful if United accepts no guarantee of a buyout, especially since the unknowns are greater in January and De Laurentiis has no intention of committing himself.”

It almost looks like a case of Kobbie Mainoo trying to outlast Amorim at this point. The Portuguese has preferred a midfield partnership of Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, even though the duo get regularly overpowered in games.

Feature image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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