Fabrizio Romano: Manchester United 'to assess' one midfield transfer before January transfer window

Manchester United will hold talks with Kobbie Mainoo as they look to assure the midfielder over his long-term future at the club. The 20-year-old is unhappy with his lack of playing time this season and asked to leave the club on loan in the final days of the summer transfer window.

Mainoo is concerned by the few opportunities he has been given this season and wants to be playing regularly to stand any chance of playing at the World Cup with England next summer. United insist the academy graduate is still a key part of their first-team squad, though Ruben Amorim has stated he competes with club captain Bruno Fernandes for a starting position.

The Stockport-born starlet could ask to leave on loan again in the January transfer window if his needs are not met, though United are unlikely to sanction the exit of a homegrown talent, particularly when they are already so short of options in central midfield.

Romano issues Mainoo update

Speaking in a recent YouTube video, transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano issued an update on Kobbie Mainoo's future and explained why Manchester United are so reluctant to let him leave.

“On Kobbie Mainoo, guys, for sure, the situation will be assessed again in the next months," he told viewers. “At the moment, Kobbie is not creating any problem, training at his best, trying his best for Man United, but he’s still not a regular starter and Kobbie wants to play.

“That has not changed since August. In August, Man United said, ‘No, you stay here. No chance even for a loan’. And Kobbie only wanted a loan and never a permanent transfer. In January, we will see because it’s still October.

“But, if we arrive to end of November, beginning of December and Kobbie is still not playing on a regular basis, well, the Kobbie Mainoo situation could become a story to follow again in the January transfer window because Man United want the player to stay, Ruben Amorim want the player to stay, since August, that was very clear, but Kobbie also wants to play.

“So now full focus on training, working hard for United, but for January, the case of Kobbie Mainoo might become interesting again because several clubs from England, from Spain, and also from Italy, Napoli, and not only, are interested in Kobbie, on loan.

“So, let’s follow that situation.”

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