Kobbie Mainoo tells Manchester United he wants to leave on loan this summer
Kobbie Mainoo has told Manchester United he wants to leave on loan; the England international is currently fighting for Bruno Fernandes' midfield spot in Ruben Amorim's set-up; Amorim has said he wants Mainoo to stay
Friday 29 August 2025 13:52, UK
Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has requested a loan move to get more game time this season, Sky Sports News has been told.
But United have no intention of allowing him to go on loan and Ruben Amorim insisted on Friday that he wants the 20-year-old to stay.
Amorim said: "I want Kobbie to stay and he needs to fight for his place. We need Kobbie. That is not going to change.
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"The players not playing with be disappointed but everyone will have opportunities. You have to fight in the week."
Mainoo started the Carabao Cup tie at Grimsby Town on Wednesday night, but was an unused substitute in both of United's Premier League games this season.
Mainoo has suffered a dip in form since shining for England at the 2024 European Championships, where he started the Three Lions' final loss to Spain in Berlin. He was again left out of Thomas Tuchel's latest England squad on Friday for the upcoming autumn internationals.
Mainoo started 10 out of Ruben Amorim's first 13 league matches in charge but has quickly fallen out of favour under the under-fire Portuguese head coach.
Amorim revealed Mainoo is currently fighting with United captain Bruno Fernandes for a spot in his midfield. Fernandes started all but four of United's 61 matches in all competitions last season.
Chelsea agree deal with Man Utd for Garnacho
Mainoo is not the only United academy graduate facing an uncertain Old Trafford future - with Alejandro Garnacho on the verge of joining Chelsea.
Chelsea have agreed a £40m fee with United to sign the Argentine winger, who has been training away from United's first-team since pre-season.
The deal, which includes a 10 per cent sell-on fee, represents the fourth-largest sale in United's history after those of Cristiano Ronaldo, Romelu Lukaku and Angel Di Maria - and the club's largest ever sale of an academy graduate.
United negotiated the fee up from an initial Chelsea offer of £25m and are understood to feel it is a good, pragmatic deal, delivering their largest sale fee for five years. They also believe it is a good solution for the player, who has been pushing strongly to leave.
It is understood he leaves with United's best wishes.
Garnacho turned down offers from other clubs because he wanted to move to Chelsea. The winger was told he could leave at the end of last season and he is not training with Ruben Amorim's first-team squad.
Hojlund close to Napoli move
Rasmus Hojlund is also close to leaving Old Trafford and will travel to Naples for a medical in the next 24-48 hours.
Hojlund's representative is in Naples and there is a growing confidence a full agreement will be reached.
Napoli have a broad agreement in principle with Manchester United for a loan plus an obligation that would be worth £40m.
The obligation is dependent on Napoli qualifying for the Champions League.
Asked about Hojlund on Friday, Amorim said: "Until it is official, I cannot say much."
