Kobbie Mainoo stays intent on joining Napoli in the course of the January transfer window despite interest from 12 clubs within the Manchester United star.
The England international saw attempts to go away Old Trafford at the tip of the summer transfer window blocked after starting the season on the bench under Ruben Amorim.
His situation has not modified, still to begin a league game, limited to simply 183 minutes of motion from the bench.
Mainoo received an enormous ovation as he got here on for the ultimate 12 minutes against Wolves on Monday night but Amorim has insisted he is not going to be pressured into any decisions over the 20-year-old who was a key figure within the side under his predecessor Erik ten Hag.
Napoli have been occupied with signing Mainoo since late August with the Serie A giants providing a brand new lease of life to those deemed surplus to requirements in Manchester.
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Scott McTominay has been transformed since arriving in Naples with Rasmus Hojlund hitting some form again after a recent dip, scoring twice on the weekend against Juventus.
A minimum of 12 clubs are occupied with signing Mainoo with Chelsea and Bayern Munich previously credited with interest within the England star.
Amorim must throw Mainoo a bone
The roar from the travelling United supporters when Kobbie Mainoo got here on against Wolves said all of it.
Mainoo was the hero at Molineux a yr and 10 months ago, scoring a sensational last-minute winner during a breakout campaign that resulted 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 in all them is academy graduate Tyler Fredricson, eighth selection at centre-half when everyone seems to be fit and available. The opposite 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 much between. But early indications are Mainoo is unlikely to be handed a starting role because the games begin to return thick and fast heading towards Christmas.
Tony Mogan, live sports editor
However the Every day Mail report the player’s preference remains to be Napoli.
United are still to present any move the green light with a substitute needed in the event that they are to permit the midfielder to go away.
Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna discussed their reported interest in Mainoo this week, but stopped in need of confirming any plans to bring him in.
‘He’s a player who’s been linked to Napoli since August, partly due to his age, prospects, and opportunities,’ he told Sky Sports Italia.
‘However the team is doing well and has consolidated. Now we have some significant absences, but in the end our players will return, strong and determined. We want to make the appropriate assessments, and we’ll see how things go along.’
Amorim has explained he views Mainoo as direct competition for Bruno Fernandes in his deeper midfield role with the United captain virtually undroppable.
Joshua Zirkzee also struggled for game but injuries to Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko saw him star three games in a row against Everton, Crystal Palace and West Ham United.
Ayden Heaven has also come into the fold, starting United’s last two games.
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