Copyright Yardbarker
Kobbie Mainoo edges closer to Manchester United exit as Napoli push hard Manchester United continue to face a very delicate moment with their talented midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who is one of the brightest young prospects that have emerged from their academy. The 20-year-old displayed great promise when he received the chance in the first team, but he is facing an uncertain future at this moment. The English midfielder’s performance under Erik Ten Hag led many fans to believe that the midfielder can be an integral part of the United midfield for quite some time. Mainoo scored vital goals right after qualifying for the first team and even earned a place in the Euro 2024 squad. However, things are not the same under Amorim in this season. The 20-year-old is not preferred by the Portuguese manager for the first team. Hence, he has started very few games and has watched others play regularly in the first team. His frustration keeps growing, and talk of discontent has begun to spread. Napoli’s chase Manchester Evening News reports that Napoli plan to pay his full wages to secure a January loan move. The Italian champions want to bring the youngster to Naples without delay, and add that president Aurelio De Laurentiis told United he would match Mainoo’s £35,000-a-week contract. The Serie A giants have tracked the midfielder for months and intend to make the move permanent next summer if he impresses. The offer comes as West Ham United enquired about United’s out-of-favour players Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo, but Napoli’s approach appears the most serious. For Mainoo, this opportunity offers a lifeline. Playing regular football abroad can rebuild his confidence and keep him in contention for England’s 2026 World Cup squad. Amorim’s tactical rigidity and United’s dilemma Ruben Amorim has reshuffled his midfield since arriving at Old Trafford and usually uses a two-man midfield. He relies on structure and proper balance, in which Bruno Fernandes is playing as one of the two midfielders, and the manager has felt that the 20-year-old is directly competing with the captain. Mainoo, however, fits awkwardly between those two roles. Amorim has limited his minutes, citing defensive lapses and positional indiscipline. He tried to use Mainoo as a holding midfielder, but Amorim believed he struggled off the ball. The young midfielder has displayed clear energy and technical qualities, but his stamina and defensive awareness still fail to meet the manager’s expectations. Competition further complicates Mainoo’s progress. Bruno Fernandes dominates the role and leaves him with little space to show his strengths. As long as Bruno remains central to United’s plans, the youngster will continue to get limited time on the pitch. However, United refuse to lose him permanently because his potential remains too valuable, and that’s why a loan move to Napoli makes sense. It can ease his frustration, help him grow in a new environment, and prepare him to return stronger. If United handle it wisely, the move will benefit both sides, giving Mainoo the minutes he needs while keeping his future within reach. Otherwise, without game time, the English midfielder won’t renew his contract.
