Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is struggling to get regular game time under manager Ruben Amorim.
Kobbie Mainoo’s preferred destination if he leaves Manchester United in the upcoming January transfer window is clear, among more than 12 clubs interested in signing him.
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The 20-year-old sees that Ruben Amorim often prefers a midfield duo consisting of Casemiro and captain Bruno Fernandes, which has limited Mainoo to coming off the bench.
Mainoo is highly appreciated by the club’s supporters, having come through the famous Old Trafford academy to the first team. However, reports have strongly suggested that Mainoo is seeking a loan deal away from United in January, ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
Mainoo has 10 caps for England and started the Euro 2024 final that ended in defeat to Spain, but his lack of regular game time at United this year means he potentially faces a difficult task to be included in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for next year’s World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Mainoo applied for a loan spell away from United in the summer – he has a contract with the club until the summer of 2027, and the Old Trafford club have the option to extend this for another 12 months.
The midfielder has made 11 appearances for United this season in all competitions, with his only start coming in the shocking League Cup second round defeat to Grimsby Town.
According to Caught Offside, over a dozen clubs are in the race to sign Mainoo, and Chelsea and Bayern Munich are said to be ‘leading the hunt’ for his services.
However, the publication also reports that the Italian champions Napoli are the team Mainoo prefers to go to, if he leaves United temporarily.
If he ends up moving to the Serie A team, he will be reunited with his former United teammate Scott McTominay, who became a key figure in Napoli’s win of last year’s Scudetto and was even nominated for the Ballon d’Or.
Striker Rasmus Hojlund is spending the season at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on loan from United, with the Italian club having an obligation to buy the Danish international for around £38 million if they secure qualification for next season’s Champions League. – Which they certainly seem to do.
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