Kobbie Mainoo remains a key part of Ruben Amorim's plans, as per Manchester United, despite the young midfielder struggling to find a place in the team sheets this season. The 20-year-old, who enjoyed "untouchable" status under Erik ten Hag, now risks missing out on England's FIFA World Cup squad due to being regularly excluded by Amorim. In the latest development, British media have claimed that United may let the youngster leave if he manages to garner "exceptional offers."
According to Amorim, Mainoo is benched because he can only use either him or captain Bruno Fernandes in his eleven. The Portuguese remains probably the best player in the squad and, despite his immense popularity among fans, Mainoo is forced to wait for a chance. Amorim has not clarified if the departure of Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo for AFCON would open room for the two midfielders to operate together.
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A January loan deal is still disliked by Manchester United, and they are well aware that there are only a select few in Europe who can afford a permanent deal for their academy graduate. "Furthermore, if he were to go on loan next month, United would have to replace him to provide extra cover in their midfield for the remainder of the season. That is likely to mean a bigger bill to bring in a new player who would be less familiar than Mainoo with the United environment," Sky Sports said in a report. He is yet to start a Premier League game this season, and his brother arrived at Old Trafford for the Bournemouth game donning a T-shirt that read "Free Kobbie Mainoo". This is also said to have influenced United's stance, which is now open to listening to lucrative offers for the midfielder.
The development also rules out the possibility of Mainoo joining Napoli in January on a loan deal. The Italian champions were reportedly wanting to replace Zambo Anguissa with Mainoo when the former leaves for AFCON. Conte also values his versatility, pressing skills, physicality, ball distribution, and ball-winning skills, Fichajes said in a report.