Kobbie Mainoo has 12 transfer options: Here’s why he should stay at Man Utd

Robin Bairner

• 6 Dec 2025 14:01 CST
• 4 min read

Analysis

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is growing frustrated with his status under Ruben Amorim.

Although he started the final of Euro 2024 for England, Mainoo has been unable to find any space in the starting XI under the guidance of the Portuguese.

He requested to leave on loan in the summer in a bid to force his way back into the England squad for the 2026 World Cup and is poised to do the same in January.

Ruben Amorim has been evasive over the future of the 20-year-old star.

Speaking this week, he said: “I consider him a starter just like the other players. I just have to make a choice and then in the end, it's not been Kobbie.

“In the future, I don't know. Again, I always think the same thing with Casemiro. He was not playing and then he plays. I just want to win games. I don't care who is playing."

According to a report from the Daily Mail, there are no fewer than 12 clubs following Mainoo with a view to signing him in January. TalkSport reports that Bayern Munich, Napoli and Newcastle lead the interest.

While these are no doubt tempting to Mainoo, the young midfielder would be making a mistake if he were to leave Old Trafford on a permanent basis. Here’s why.

Man Utd the best club for Mainoo

Manchester United is the best club for Mainoo in the long term, according to data analytics firm SciSports, which has an algorithm that estimates the likelihood of any particular move being successful.

It does this by looking at various metrics ranging from playing time and development to formation and style. Once this is done, it provides a Club Fit score, with the higher the score, the more a move is suited for a player. Financial means are not taken into account.

SciSports’ career analysis of Mainoo, suggests that Man Utd is his optimal club. The Red Devils are given a very high score of 85. Indeed, they score a rare five stars across the board, with the exception being in terms of playing style, which is, of course, dictated by the manager.

The way things are going at Old Trafford, though, Amorim’s future remains uncertain and it is entirely possible that he is gone in a matter of months given the team’s ongoing struggles.

This would open the door to Mainoo taking up the starring role that many fans feel he’s born to fill at Old Trafford.

What are his other options?

If he were to move in January – and United should do everything in their power to make sure this is a loan deal without a purchase option – Napoli looks a strong location.

The Serie A club have long been linked with Mainoo and offer a Club Fit of 80. Antonio Conte’s formation in Naples could be a sticking point, though.

Within the Premier League, Bournemouth are surprisingly his optimal destination with a Club Fit of 74 followed by Newcastle on 72.

Incidentally, Bayern Munich score an abject 42, with one-star ratings across the board, meaning Mainoo should absolutely avoid them in the experts' view.

Mainoo’s best option, though, is clearly to stick it out at Old Trafford and see if he can outlast or somehow win over Amorim.

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