Kobbie Mainoo’s future at Manchester United is hanging by a thread. The Englishman was a first-team regular under former manager Erik ten Hag, but his situation has gone from bad to worse under Ruben Amorim.
The highly rated academy graduate has been starved of opportunities this season, managing just one start across competitions.
The 20 year old has appeared in six of the Red Devils’ eight Premier League games this season, but all of them have been from the bench.
With just 118 minutes of league football under his belt in this campaign, Mainoo has become a frustrated figure at the Theatre of Dreams.
A wanted man in January
Mainoo was keen to leave United on loan in the summer, perhaps anticipating his changing fortunes at Old Trafford.
The Premier League giants refused to let him leave, but Amorim’s lack of trust in the young midfielder has only fuelled speculation over his future.
Recent reports state that the Englishman could push for a loan move in January in a bid to secure regular football and boost his chances of earning a place in England’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Despite his lack of game time, Mainoo isn’t short of options, with recent reports suggesting that Napoli are eager to prise him away at the turn of the year. It now appears that a Premier League club is also eyeing the youngster ahead of the winter transfer window.
West Ham admire Mainoo
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Ben Jacobs said that West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo wants a new midfielder in January and that the Hammers have their eyes on Mainoo.
“What I can tell you is to keep an eye on the Hammers in January, because they are going to be busier than most,” said Jacobs.
“Nuno Espirito Santo has come in, they are in an early relegation battle, and he’s asked the West Ham hierarchy for three things; a striker, a midfielder, and a defender, all with a view to getting West Ham out of trouble.
“Nuno has asked for more pace in midfield. A ‘six’ or an ‘eight’ who can get box-to-box. And I’m told that Kobbie Mainoo is still liked by West Ham, if Manchester United let him leave.”
Mainoo may struggle to secure regular game time this season at United, especially with the indomitable Bruno Fernandes ahead of him in the pecking order.
A move to London in January could help him secure vital first-team minutes, but a recent report from The Peoples Person suggests that INEOS have no desire to let him go in midseason.
Featured image Jan Kruger via Getty Images
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Deepungsu Pandit
Deepungsu has been a Manchester United fan since 2000. In his playing days, he was an attacking midfielder with a proclivity for the back heel. Right now, however, he prefers to operate as a regista. Deepungsu has been writing about the Red Devils, Football, and other things since 2009. He has worked for over seven years with Sportskeeda, writing football reviews, opinions and news articles. Deepungsu also maintains a blog, The Thinking Me, where he writes about life and things that interest him. His favourite Manchester United player is Paul Scholes.
