Manchester United star has over a dozen options if January exit allowed

Kobbie Mainoo’s situation at Man Utd has accelerated into one of the most significant midfield storylines heading into the January window, with a dozen clubs positioning themselves for a potential loan move. The England international, keen to reignite his season and restore his standing ahead of next summer, is understood to be pushing hard for clarity after limited opportunities under Ruben Amorim.

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Mainoo has featured for only 171 minutes in the Premier League this season, all coming from substitute appearances. His sole start arrived in August’s Carabao Cup defeat, a match that did little to shift the internal hierarchy in his favour. As frustration mounts, the 20-year-old is increasingly intent on securing a move that guarantees playing time — something he feels he has been denied at Old Trafford.

That dissatisfaction intensified after the 1-1 draw with West Ham, where he remained on the bench despite the team chasing a late winner. Amorim instead opted for defensive reinforcement, a decision that has compounded concerns around the midfielder’s development.

Paul Scholes, a longstanding admirer of Mainoo’s talent, voiced his strongest criticism yet in the Daily Mail by dismissing Amorim’s public defence of the player’s role. The former Man Utd midfielder suggested Mainoo’s season is being mishandled and argued that a temporary exit may now be the only viable route to protect his growth trajectory.

Scholes’s commentary has reignited discussion around how Man Utd are managing young talent. His claim that Mainoo is nowhere near the starter status Amorim alluded to has resonated among supporters who fear stagnation for one of the club’s most gifted academy graduates.

While Amorim has reiterated that training standards and tactical needs dictate selection, the broader picture suggests a more complex situation. Bruno Fernandes remains immovable in his preferred role, while Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte have been favoured in the deeper positions. That leaves Mainoo caught between structural preference and pathway uncertainty.

The midfielder is known to have been disappointed by Man Utd’s refusal to sanction his proposed move to Napoli in the summer. The Serie A side retain an interest and are one of several clubs in England, Italy, Spain and Germany monitoring the situation closely.

Mainoo’s future may ultimately depend on whether Man Utd reinforce their midfield next month. The club explored options in the summer and remain admirers of Brighton’s Carlos Baleba and Conor Gallagher, now at Atletico Madrid. Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton are under consideration, while Tyler Adams and Joao Gomes have also been discussed internally.

Should one of those deals progress, Man Utd could be more open to sanctioning a loan exit — a move Scholes believes would benefit both player and club. Mainoo’s ambitions to regain England recognition only heighten the importance of consistent minutes between January and the end of the season.

For now, uncertainty dominates. Mainoo wants to play, Scholes wants to see him prioritised, and Amorim refuses to compromise on meritocracy. That dynamic makes Mainoo one of the defining transfer narratives to watch as Man Utd navigate a pivotal winter window.