Fresh details emerge as Kobbie Mainoo’s Man United exit gets closer
Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is yet to start a Premier League game this season, and his future under Ruben Amorim looks bleak.
Man United beat Sunderland 2-0 at Old Trafford to win their third game of the Premier League season, keeping Amorim afloat ahead of the international break.
The win means the Red Devils are 10th with 10 points from seven games, but Amorim is still under criticism at Man United.
Andoni Iraola has been linked to Man United, should the club sack Amorim, with Oliver Glasner and Michael Carrick also rumoured to be in the conversation for the job.
Napoli look set to make a move for Kobbie Mainoo
One of the longest ongoing rumours throughout the summer transfer window linked Kobbie Mainoo to a move out of Old Trafford, after Amorim continually refused to play the 20-year-old.
Mainoo wanted a loan move and was rumoured to have interest from Napoli, where he’d link up with former midfield partner Scott McTominay and fellow United loanee Rasmus Hojlund.
Sky Sports in Switzerland has suggested that interest was genuine and that Napoli would be willing to dip back into the market for Mainoo in January.
Reporter Sacha Tavolieri said: “In advanced discussions with Manchester United at the very end of the summer transfer window, Napoli are maintaining contact with Kobbie Mainoo’s entourage.
“What’s more, the Partenopei are reportedly in pole position to land the promising English midfielder. A loan move is being considered as early as the January transfer window to give him more playing time and continue his development in a competitive environment.
“The Italian club hopes to conclude this deal quickly,” Tavolieri finished.
Kobbie Mainoo still on the fringes despite Casemiro’s red card and Manuel Ugarte’s poor cameo
Mainoo’s only start this season came when Man United lost in dismal fashion against Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup.
Mainoo has amassed only 117 minutes in the Premier League across five substitute appearances so far for Man United this season.
| Man United’s midfield 2025-26 | Kobbie Mainoo | Manuel Ugarte | Casemiro | Bruno Fernandes |
| Minutes | 117 | 243 | 326 | 626 |
| Passing completion percentage per 90 | 86.1 | 84.4 | 81.8 | 77 |
| Progressive passes per 90 | 4.62 | 7.04 | 6.11 | 8.71 |
| Progressive carries per 90 | 3.85 | 1.48 | 0 | 1.71 |
| Key passes per 90 | 5.38 | 0.37 | 0.56 | 2.71 |
| Passes into the final third per 90 | 2.31 | 5.93 | 3.61 | 6.29 |
| Shot-creating actions per 90 | 3.85 | 1.11 | 1.38 | 6.18 |
| Tackles and interceptions per 90 | 3.85 | 5.19 | 3.06 | 2.29 |
| Carries into the final third per 90 | 1.54 | 1.11 | 1.39 | 1 |
During Man United’s dismal defeat away at Man City, Mainoo was the only bright spark from a poor showing from the visitors off the bench, and fans have expected to see more of the Englishman.
Despite his promising cameos and catalogue of impressive performances, Amorim’s mind seems set on Mainoo being his fourth-choice midfielder.