Kobbie Mainoo would prefer to move abroad over a Premier League loan, if the midfielder leaves Manchester United in January.
Mainoo is being linked with an exit from Manchester United after struggling for regular first-team football.
The 20-year-old requested to go out on loan in the summer but saw an exit blocked by Ruben Amorim. He’s since played just 183 minutes of Premier League football and has not started a league fixture this season.
A number of Premier League teams are watching his situation, as Mainoo looks for a temporary move to reignite his fortunes.
The midfielder has not given up hope of making the England squad for the World Cup, having been a prominent part of the team that reached the final of Euro 2024. He has not been capped for the Three Lions for 15 months.
The reaction Kobbie Mainoo received from Man United fans when he was subbed on 🥰
He completed more passes and won more fouls than any other midfielder on the pitch during his appearance 👏 pic.twitter.com/bmJ0ISfEzn
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) December 9, 2025
Despite interest from England, Mainoo’s preference is reported to be a loan outside the Premier League. Napoli are rumoured to be keen.
According to The Athletic journalist Laurie Whitewell, a decision on Mainoo’s future is unlikely until after the Africa Cup of Nations. United have Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui at the tournament.
“I get the sense that nothing will be decided until after AFCON,” Whitwell told Stretford Paddock.
“United will see how that goes, even if he might want to start earlier, getting more minutes regularly, it’s ultimately the clubs call. I would anticipate that picture becoming more clear later in January, after mid-January onwards.
“Napoli had interest in him last summer and I sense abroad is where he’d like to go if we were to get a move away on loan.”
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