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Topics: Kobbie Mainoo, Manchester United, Ruben Amorim, Premier League, Football, Transfers
Ryan Smart
Topics: Kobbie Mainoo, Manchester United, Ruben Amorim, Premier League, Football, Transfers
Kobbie Mainoo has made his feelings clear on Ruben Amorim's decision to deny him a move away from Manchester United, it has been reported.
The 20-year-old midfielder requested to be allowed to leave the club on loan during the summer transfer window, according to BBC Sport.
It is said that one of the clubs interested in Mainoo are Serie A champions Napoli, who revitalised the career of his former United team-mate Scott McTominay last season.
Antonio Conte's side are also pursuing a loan move to sign United outcast Rasmus Hojlund, who scored just four Premier League goals last season despite starting the majority of matches.
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Mainoo was an unused substitute for United's opening two Premier League matches, with manager Amorim stating after the 1-1 draw with Fulham that the academy graduate was effectively fighting with captain Bruno Fernandes for a spot in the starting XI as a holding midfielder.
But on Friday, in his pre-match press conference before his side take on Burnley at Old Trafford, the Portuguese boss spoke of his desire for Mainoo to stay.
"I want Kobbie to stay," he began. "He needs to fight for his place, and we need Kobbie. So that is not going to change ... I understand that the players that are not playing in this moment are disappointed, but everyone has the same opportunity to play. You have to fight during the week."
United's main concern will no doubt be that Mainoo's contract at Old Trafford expires in the summer of 2027.
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Were he to go out on loan without a new deal in place before that spell ends, the 20-year-old would enter the final year of his contract and leave the club with a big decision to make over whether to sell him or make a last-ditch attempt to renew before losing him for nothing.
But the Daily Mail claim that Mainoo will respond to Amorim's remarks by once again re-iterating his desire to leave on loan.
It is said that talks between player and club were held on Thursday, but United 'insisted' that they would need to sign a replacement - something which appears, based off the speed of their transfer business this summer, increasingly unlikely - before allowing him to leave.
The report adds that Amorim did not speak with Mainoo in person before delivering his press conference remarks, though was aware of the player's loan request.
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With under 72 hours remaining in the transfer window, it seems as if something major will have to change for Mainoo, who is said to be concerned over his prospects of playing time at Old Trafford, to move away from the club on either a temporary or permanent basis.