Football
Exclusive: Kobbie Mainoo Rejects Napoli Loan as He Fights for Manchester United Future
Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is not moving to Napoli on loan despite rumors. The 20-year-old has had limited game time but wants to stay and fight for his place at Old Trafford. Other clubs like Roma, Newcastle, and West Ham have shown interest, but Mainoo is focused on his career with United.
Manchester United v Brighton & Hove Albion - Premier League by James Gill - Danehouse | Getty Images
Out-of-favour Manchester United midfielder is NOT moving to Napoli on loan despite growing rumours he is about to leave Old Trafford, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
The England ace has not started a Premier League game for the Red Devils yet this season, having been used as a substitute in what has already proven to be a frustrating start to the season for the 20-year-old.
Mainoo did start the club’s infamous 12-11 penalty shootout defeat to League Two Grimsby Town in the EFL Cup in August, but since then the 10-cap international has mustered just 138 minutes off the bench in eight league appearances for the club this term.
A lack of first-team action under Portuguese boss Ruben Amorim has seen Mainoo heavily-linked with a move to Italy, with Napoli understood to be keen to sign him on loan.
That would lead to the enticing prospect of Mainoo teaming up with former Manchester United teammate and Scotland international Scott McTominay, who has dazzled since his move abroad, another player to have previously fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford.
Mainoo is currently under contract and the club have the option of extending his deal by a year.
And our sources have learnt Mainoo has no desire to move to Napoli, although he is flattered by the interest.
FIGHT FOR CHANCE
A source close to the player has confirmed that he wants to stay and fight for his place under Amorim.
Mainoo has reportedly attracted interest from another Italian club in Roma, but the former Carrington graduate is eager to maintain his long association with the club.
Premier League rivals Newcastle United and Aston Villa have also been linked with the youngster, but Mainoo is understood to have no desire to play abroad at this stage in his fledgling career.
Mainoo signed his first professional contract with United in May 2022 and made his Premier League debut for the club the following February.
He is now in his fourth season with the club in the top-flight having played 25 games last season and 24 games in the Premier League the previous season.
In all he has played 57 games in the Premier League and 80 games in total for the club.
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Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.