Sources: Mainoo is being ‘pushed out’ of Man United due to superstar teammate
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Credit: Imago
Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Fri 29 August 2025 12:31, UK
Ruben Amorim’s continued stance on Kobbie Mainoo’s game-time is the biggest factor forcing him out the door at Manchester United, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed what his sources have said about Mainoo’s uncertain long-term future at Old Trafford.
Former Red Devils scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on 25 August that Mainoo could look to leave Man United in a bid for more minutes this summer, particularly with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon.
Amorim has since stated in his most recent press conference that Mainoo is competing for skipper Bruno Fernandes’ place in United’s midfield, casting added doubt over the 20-year-old’s first-team prospects.
Sources have told Football Insider that these comments have pushed Mainoo even further towards the exit door at Man United, with the England midfielder telling the club that he wants to leave on loan.
Mainoo’s surprise demand for a summer exit comes against the backdrop of interest from Napoli, and Football Insider sources have stated that the Serie A champions are one of several suitors for Mainoo.
(Credit Imago)
Napoli’s interest in Mainoo may be a new development as his future at Old Trafford becomes increasingly uncertain, but the Scudetto winners have also been in talks for Jadon Sancho and Rasmus Hojlund too.
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Speaking on the new Inside Track podcast, O’Rourke was asked if Amorim’s comments on Mainoo’s position in the team could be the final straw behind Man United losing another one of their young talents.
“It’s interesting, this Kobbie Mainoo situation”, he told Football Insider.
“It’s interesting that Ruben Amorim said he’s competing with Bruno Fernandes for a place in the team – that’s something that has pushed Mainoo towards the exit door.
“Now they’re out of the [Carabao] Cup as well, that will restrict his game-time even more, and there’ll be no shortage of takers for Mainoo.”
Photo by Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images
Man United fans are quickly running out of patience with Amorim after their lacklustre start to the new season, and his stance on their most promising academy graduate isn’t helping the Portuguese’s cause.
Mainoo may have started in United’s disastrous defeat to League Two side Grimsby in the Carabao Cup, but Amorim’s insistence on playing Fernandes as a deep-lying number eight leaves Mainoo out of favour.
Wayne Rooney has warned that Amorim is on borrowed time at Old Trafford should the Red Devils’ form fail to pick up, and if Mainoo is loaned or sold out to leave a hole in United’s squad, numerous fans could soon be at breaking point.