Offer received for unsettled United star, January loan exit now hinging on one thing – report

Whether Kobbie Mainoo will still be at Manchester United come February remains to be seen. The United wonderkid continues to be linked with a January exit. Limited game time Keen to play more and reclaim his spot in the England national team, Mainoo is growing increasingly concerned that warming the bench will not get him there. So far, he has clocked just 138 minutes of Premier League action across United’s first 10 games of the 2025–26 season; a return that is underwhelming by any measure. The 20-year-old has arguably been the biggest casualty of United’s failure to qualify for Europe and their early exit from the Carabao Cup. Opportunities have been scarce, with head coach Ruben Amorim favouring the experienced Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro as his midfield pivot. With no sign of that changing, Mainoo, as he did last summer, is now pushing for a loan move. The United midfield sensation remains convinced he can prove his worth elsewhere and earn a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England World Cup squad. Mainoo: a player in demand As talented as he is, suitors have not been in short supply. Napoli, Real Madrid and West Ham United are among the top teams linked with the United academy graduate. While speculation continues over incoming offers and whether United will entertain them, one club, West Ham, have already made their move. Offer made “West Ham now await Amorim’s answer after making a formal offer for Man United ace Mainoo,” reports Hammers.news. The outlet adds: “Nuno specifically wants ‘a six or an eight who can go box-to-box’. “Mainoo certainly fits that bill and is thought to be pushing for a loan move to get game time ahead of the World Cup at the end of the season.” Undoubtedly, from those claims, United’s number #37 can be considered West Ham’s top winter target. The question now is whether Amorim will bow to pressure, grant Mainoo his wish, and hand West Ham their man. Squad depth concerns With Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui all set to depart for AFCON between December and January, reports suggest Amorim is reluctant to lose further depth. The suggestion is that he may block both Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee from leaving. Anderson January swoop Even so, United are reportedly preparing a major January bid for Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, a move INEOS believe will go through. Should that deal go through, it could pave the way for Amorim to sanction Mainoo’s exit. All in all, the Mainoo situation remains one to watch. Whether he is still at Old Trafford come February is, for now, anyone’s guess. Featured image Jan Kruger via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Daniel Onguko Dan is a writer with The Peoples Person, an avid Manchester United fan whose passion for the Red Devils evolved into writing about them. He was introduced to United back in 2008, and his love for the club has continued to grow ever since. Like every other United fan, he believes the club will soon return to its rightful place and strives to reflect that belief in his writing. While he has also written about other Premier League sides, including Arsenal for Just Arsenal and The Arsenal Analysis Blogspot, Dan lives and breathes Manchester United.