Kobbie Mainoo told to leave Manchester United in January by club legend as midfielder risks missing England’s 2026 World Cup
Former United star Paul Ince has urged Kobbie Mainoo to seek a move away from Old Trafford in January, warning that the 20-year-old could miss England’s 2026 World Cup squad if he keeps being left on the bench. A product of United’s academy at Carrington, Mainoo rose as one of the club’s brightest talents but has seen his standing plummet under new manager Ruben Amorim.
England talent frozen out under Amorim
After 15 Premier League appearances this season, Mainoo has not started a single game and has logged just 183 minutes of playing time. The contrast with his breakout 2024 season, when he impressed for both club and country, could not be starker. His growing dissatisfaction has steered insiders to reveal that he is “deeply frustrated” by Amorim’s reluctance to give him minutes. While Amorim contends that Mainoo deserves to be playing, selections continue to favour Casemiro’s experience and Bruno Fernandes’ influence, leaving the England midfielder on the periphery and stalling his development. Reports suggest the United boss has pushed Mainoo to improve off the ball, which has been cited as a key reason for his omission. The tension peaked when Mainoo remained an unused substitute in the 1-1 draw with West Ham. Paul Scholes labelled Amorim’s handling of the situation as “bullsh*t,” while supporters questioned how one of England’s brightest young talents could become a peripheral figure so quickly.
Ince advises a January exit for Mainoo
Speaking to Covers.com, Ince argued that Mainoo must now consider a move that guarantees regular football to give Thomas Tuchel a clear chance to assess him ahead of naming the final Three Lions squad for the World Cup.
“If I were in Mainoo’s shoes, I’d be pursuing a club change in January,” he said. “The World Cup would be my top priority, and leaving Manchester United—whether on loan or on a permanent basis—appears to be the best route to securing a place in the England squad. When Mainoo first broke through, expectations were sky-high; he was performing well for United and earning England caps. But something has changed, and I’m not sure if the issue lies with the player or with Ruben Amorim. Perhaps his ascent happened too rapidly, but the path forward hasn’t been straightforward.”
The former midfielder also believes this should have been the year Mainoo overtook an aging Casemiro.
“Last year, Casemiro faced some fan pressure and showed signs of decline. I thought this season would be Mainoo’s moment to claim the shirt and become a core starter for Amorim. He’ll also be aware that Tuchel will pick England’s squad based on domestic playing time, which Mainoo isn’t currently getting.”
Napoli interest grows alongside other European clubs
Mainoo has drawn interest from multiple European sides, with Napoli among the most serious. The Italian champions already feature former United midfielder Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund, and are navigating an injury crisis that has driven their search for midfield reinforcements.
Napoli’s sporting director Giovanni Manna addressed the links, telling Sky Sport Italia: “He’s a player who has been linked to Napoli since August, given his age, potential, and the opportunity of a transfer. This team is solid and well-established. We have important absences right now, but the players will return. We must make the right evaluations, so we’ll see how things progress.”
Fabrizio Romano echoed the rising demand for Mainoo on the Here We Go podcast, noting: “It’s normal that several clubs are interested in Kobbie Mainoo. Napoli, for example, hope to bring him in as soon as possible. They’re not alone—more than ten clubs are monitoring him. Let’s see how this unfolds. For now, there’s no green light from United, and until things change, everything hinges on United, Amorim, and timing.”
Could a loan spell in Naples be the ideal remedy?
A temporary stint with Napoli could offer Mainoo regular starts and a chance to rebuild confidence under a demanding manager in Antonio Conte. Serie A has long served as a proving ground for Manchester United players seeking redemption, following paths taken by Romelu Lukaku, Chris Smalling, and, more recently, McTominay. Mainoo would be aiming to follow in their footsteps and reignite his trajectory.
Would you like to discuss potential moves that could best support Mainoo’s development, or share your view on whether staying at United or moving abroad is the smarter option for his World Cup ambitions? Would you favor a loan to Napoli or another league, and why?
