Ruben Amorim is trying to block a Manchester United player from leaving as the January transfer window draws closer.
United are not expected to be overly active during the winter transfer window, having spent over £200m on new signings last summer.
Amorim welcomed three new attacking players to Old Trafford – Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko – as well as new first-choice goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
Ex-Sporting boss Amorim was keen to sign a new midfielder last summer and that remains his priority position going forward, along with a new wing-back.
But Manchester United do not expect to sign a new midfielder next month as their top targets – Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson – are unlikely to be available midway through a season.
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That means the Red Devils, who will climb to fifth in the Premier League if they beat Bournemouth on Monday night, will likely keep their powder dry until the summer transfer window.
Given the lack of January additions, Amorim will resist losing too many members of his first-team squad, despite several being linked with moves.
Kobbie Mainoo has emerged as a top target for Serie A champions Napoli following a hugely frustrating period at Old Trafford, but Amorim is trying to prevent him from leaving, according to Italian outlet II Mattino.
Mainoo was once thought of as one of the most promising players at United but his stock has fallen since Amorim’s arrival just over a year ago.
England’s Euro 2024 star has started just one game this season – United’s Carabao Cup defeat to League Two side Grimsby Town.
‘Ruben Amorim must throw Kobbie Mainoo a bone’
The roar from the travelling United supporters when Kobbie Mainoo came on during their recent 4-1 win at Wolves said it all.
Mainoo was the hero at Molineux a year and 10 months ago, scoring a sensational last-minute winner during a breakout campaign that ended in him starting the Euro 2024 final against Spain.
The situation couldn’t be more different now.
Only two members of the regular first-team squad have managed less game time than the England midfielder this term. One of them is academy graduate Tyler Fredricson, eighth choice at centre-half when everyone is fit and available. The other is Lisandro Martinez, taking his first baby steps back after recovering from an ACL injury.
United’s light schedule this season has meant opportunities for rotation have been few and far between. But early indications are Mainoo is unlikely to be handed a starting role as the games begin to come thick and fast heading towards Christmas.
Tony Mogan, live sports editor
Mainoo was keen to leave on loan last summer and has indicated he is desperate for a January move to revive his career and boost his slim hopes of going to next summer’s World Cup.
Napoli and ex-Chelsea boss Antonio Conte want to offer Mainoo the chance to do just that in Italy but Amorim is reportedly ready to block the move.
While Amorim has shown a reluctance to pick Mainoo this season, he is aware he may be called upon more during the second-half of the season and during AFCON, when the likes of Mbeumo and Amad Diallo will be away.
Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna discussed the club’s reported interest in Mainoo last week, but stopped short of confirming any plans to bring him in.
‘He’s a player who’s been linked to Napoli since August, partly because of his age, prospects, and opportunities,’ he told Sky Sports Italia. ‘But the team is doing well and has consolidated.
‘We have some significant absences, but sooner or later our players will return, strong and determined. We need to make the right assessments, and we’ll see how things go along.’
Who else could leave Man Utd in January?
Another Manchester United player being strongly linked with a January move is Erik ten Hag’s £36.5m signing Joshua Zirkzee.
Zirzkee scored seven goals in his first season at Old Trafford but only has one in nine appearances this term.
Roma are believed to be leading the race to sign Zirkzee but AC Milan are reportedly interesting in beating their Serie A rivals to a deal.
The Netherlands international is said to have agreed personal terms with Roma but their opening offer was rejected by Manchester United.
Ayden Heaven, the 19-year-old defender signed from Arsenal, is also eyeing up a possible loan move, with Diego Leon and Sekou Kone in the same boat.
Amorim’s side have four more games before the transfer window reopens on January 1, starting with Monday’s home match against Bournemouth.
Manchester United have lost just one of their less nine games, an encouraging run of form putting the Red Devils in contention for European qualification.
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