Sources: Man United prepare for Kobbie Mainoo U-turn
Manchester United’s stance on Kobbie Mainoo could yet change after the opening weeks of the January window, sources have told Football Insider.
The midfielder has fallen firmly out of favour with Ruben Amorim, and has still yet to start a game under him in the league so far this season.
Mainoo is attracting interest from Napoli ahead of the January window, but former United scout Mick Brown has told Football Insider that he expects United to have learned their lesson from Scott McTominay, who has gone on to become a superstar after being allowed to leave.
Sources have indicated that the Red Devils still have no interest in allowing the star to leave, even on loan, although that could yet change with Premier League interest in him still present.
Man United may sanction Kobbie Mainoo exit if a replacement is sourced
Football Insider revealed back in October that Mainoo is desperate to leave United in January, as he aims to make a final push to make Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for next summer’s World Cup.
However, the 20-year-old still looks unlikely to have his wish granted, with sources revealing to Football Insider that the Old Trafford outfit remain undeterred in their desire to keep hold of the starlet.
They are set to lose the likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo to AFCON in the coming weeks, and as such, Amorim is desperate to ensure that he doesn’t leave himself short of options.
However, it is understood that the stance on Mainoo’s future could be loosened somewhat if a replacement can be sourced in the early weeks of the winter window.
£50m Joao Gomes deal to unlock Mainoo move
Football Insider recently revealed that United will need a fee of £50million to sign Joao Gomes from Wolves in the January window, with their interest in the midfielder intensifying of late.
The Black Country outfit are understood to be reluctant to allow the Portuguese to leave midway through the season, but could be tempted if an offer of £50m was put on the table.
Mainoo will be quietly hoping that his boyhood club can find the cash to get the deal for Gomes done, because it could provide him with his ticket to secure his own move away.
It has quickly become apparent that his trust in Amorim has broken down, and it may take something pretty drastic for that to be rebuilt.