Amorim reveals Mainoo’s Man Utd future with January transfer statement

Robin Bairner

24 Nov 2025 04:07 CST
3 min read

Kobbie Mainoo, Man Utd, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is pushing to leave the club during the January transfer window and has now been told his prospects of landing a move by head coach Ruben Amorim.

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Mainoo wants to depart Old Trafford in search of first-team football, which he has found difficult to come by under Amorim.

Placed in direct competition with club captain Bruno Fernandes, the England international star has appeared only eight times this season and has yet to make a single Premier League start, picking up only 138 top-flight minutes.

Current ETV

Kobbie Mainoo

M, DM (C)

Man Utd

Kobbie Mainoo

M, DM (C)

Man Utd

ETV Range

€56.4M - €69M

Amorim tells Mainoo: Man Utd come first

Mainoo understood his role under Amorim and pushed to find a solution to his problem in the summer, but was told that a loan would not be sanctioned.

Now the 20-year-old has been told by the Portuguese that he will have to be patient and that he will not automatically be allowed to depart.

“The first thing is that the club comes first, so we have to think about the club and the team, and then everything can happen,” Amorim told the media, also referring to attacker Joshua Zirkzee, who has been similarly peripheral.

“I was a football player, I understand everything. And I want to help my players in every situation, so I don't know what is going to happen. I want my players happy. I understand the frustration of some players, seeing that the World Cup is there.

“And I know what it means for the World Cup, but Manchester United comes first, so if I can help the club and the players, I will be happy, if not I have to think about the team.”

Mainoo gets transfer hope

The prevailing logic is that Mainoo will only be allowed to leave the club should the Red Devils find a suitable replacement.

In a positive turn of events for the youngster, Amorim’s side are in “advanced talks” to sign Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes in a deal worth around €50 million.

If such a transfer were to be completed, Mainoo’s prospects of getting the loan move he is desperate for would be significantly enhanced. Serie A side Napoli are thought to be among the frontrunners to sign him.