Kobbie Mainoo wanted by new giant as Man United ‘future’ ruled out
Bayern Munich are interested in signing Kobbie Mainoo in the January transfer window as he edges closer to leaving Man United.
Kobbie Mainoo’s future was up in the air throughout the summer and he looked set to depart Man United close to the deadline after a lack of minutes at the start of the season.
Mainoo requested to leave Man United on loan just before the window closed, but boss Ruben Amorim insisted that he wanted him to stay and “fight for his place” in the team.
The 20-year-old has still barely featured amid injury issues, with 10 appearances in all competitions so far this term and no starts in the Premier League as yet.
Football Insider recently revealed that Man United have halted contract talks with Mainoo amid uncertainty about his future at Old Trafford, and he could be set to move to the Bundesliga despite strong interest from Serie A sides.
Bayern back in for Mainoo as Napoli and Juventus line up move
Recent reports have stated that Napoli is Mainoo’s preferred club to join in January as he aims to link back up with Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund at the Serie A champions.
Juventus are also interested in Mainoo, but talkSPORT have now revealed that German giants Bayern Munich are the latest club to plot a move for the England star ahead of next month.
The 20-year-old reportedly wants to leave United as he “does not believe he has a future” under Amorim due to his lack of minutes so far in this campaign.
He remained on the bench for their 1-1 draw against West Ham last time out, while he featured for just three minutes after coming on against Crystal Palace before that.
What Ruben Amorim has said about Mainoo’s struggles
Amorim has come under fire for the way he has handled Mainoo this season, but he has not caved into fan pressure to play him from the off consistently.
The United manager has stood by his beliefs and hit back with a fiery response this week when asked about the 20-year-old potentially being demoralised through his lack of game-time.
He said: “I see it. I just want to win, I try to put the players, I don’t look who it is, I don’t care about that, I’m just trying to put the best players on the pitch.
“You have [Manuel] Ugarte that played two games. One of them, Case[miro], was out, Bruno [Fernandes], he’s always fit, he’s the guy that is doing his position, so maybe it has to do with that.”
“Of course, I understand, and my job is to answer, but I’m trying to answer always the same thing, and you ask me always the same thing.
“I understand what you are saying. You love Kobbie; he starts for England. But that doesn’t mean that I need to put Kobbie [in] when I feel that I shouldn’t put Kobbie [in], so it’s my decision.”