Napoli captain Scott McTominay has been speaking to Antonio Conte about a potential return to the Premier League, with the Serie A champions close to signing Kobbie Mainoo
Scott McTominay has reportedly urged Napoli boss Antonio Conte to snap up Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo during the January transfer window, with the Scotland star championing his former Old Trafford teammate. Mainoo has seen his standing at United plummet under new manager Ruben Amorim.
Despite being a key player last season, the 20 year old has managed just eight appearances this campaign. Amorim has favoured the combination of Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes in his Premier League midfield, leaving Mainoo to settle for substitute appearances in seven of the opening 10 matches.
The youngster was completely overlooked for the bench during the 2-2 stalemate at Nottingham Forest last week. On Saturday, he missed out on the squad altogether against Tottenham due to injury concerns, reports the Manchester Evening News.
With United already knocked out of the Carabao Cup and absent from European competition, Mainoo's playing time looks set to remain severely restricted until January - potentially jeopardising his World Cup ambitions.
A loan switch has been mooted ahead of the transfer window reopening, with Serie A champions Napoli emerging as frontrunners.
Reports previously suggested the Italian giants were prepared to cover his entire wages to secure his services at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
According to The Sun, McTominay is now pulling out all the stops to engineer a reunion with Mainoo in Italy. The 28-year-old departed United in 2024 and enjoyed a stellar debut campaign, netting 12 goals whilst helping secure the Scudetto.
McTominay is said to have approached Conte directly to push for Mainoo's signature. "Scott has been to see Conte and told him to get Kobbie," the source revealed.
"He's told him all about his strengths and what an outstanding player he is. He knows all about him from his time at United and thinks he would be a great addition to the squad, whether it's on loan or a permanent deal.
"Kobbie has been brought up the right way at United having been in the academy since he was a little boy. He would fit straight in and give Napoli a boost."
Amorim recently confessed there simply wasn't space for Mainoo in his team. "Every minute we are using to prepare the future with a lot of games and less training," Amorim told beIN Sports.
"We are giving a lot of information, we are working on our fitness because we need to keep momentum during the week with good training, really intense.
"When you have more games you are just concerned about recovery. We suffered a lot from last season. People forget we played two and three days all of the time and that was really hard for us. But then you have the other side.
"I see Kobbie Mainoo training today, and he deserves to play, but then I have to take one guy [out] that's playing really well. We should have played in the Carabao Cup, because I need to see Kobbie Mainoo playing, I need to see Josh, all of these guys deserve to play, but in the end, it is one more game you need to make choices. So you have both sides."
naycdmnor
0
If we can get a replacement for lesser money then I’m okay 👍🏽
Juybdikrst
0
it is funny when he said every players are playing well but results and performance were not. we were lucky to get a draw in both previous games. everyone knows man U lost the battle in the midfield and Bruno sucked in the deeper role. He can't control the midfield. He can't command. he only can pass or make a good pass when he is upfront. he was useless most of the time. sporadic genius was people saw. How come Amorim cannot see that? Amorim is pathetic and looking to be sacked.
man u midfield is total shit without Bruno
cakbekmnpt
0
Is McTomminay an agent now?
W4D
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I'm not much worried about Mainoo but Zirkzee
Emmaveli29
0
Mino os a backup. until then je stays on bench he's still young... no need to rush
yes bro, should push himself harder in training to get a chance
Emmaveli29
0
chosen ones who i dont see man utd perform it should be win at spurs mainoo could have put goals or create chances we even know how he perform before amorim came go look at records first mac tominay was the best player so far but still neglected by man utd
the way he put goals and create chances against Brighton right?
Emmaveli29
0
it is funny when he said every players are playing well but results and performance were not. we were lucky to get a draw in both previous games. everyone knows man U lost the battle in the midfield and Bruno sucked in the deeper role. He can't control the midfield. He can't command. he only can pass or make a good pass when he is upfront. he was useless most of the time. sporadic genius was people saw. How come Amorim cannot see that? Amorim is pathetic and looking to be sacked.
go and sack him
Kebeilnru
1
it is funny when he said every players are playing well but results and performance were not. we were lucky to get a draw in both previous games. everyone knows man U lost the battle in the midfield and Bruno sucked in the deeper role. He can't control the midfield. He can't command. he only can pass or make a good pass when he is upfront. he was useless most of the time. sporadic genius was people saw. How come Amorim cannot see that? Amorim is pathetic and looking to be sacked.
Fudenpuz
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It is completely understandable why Mainoo can't get a look-in now. Amorim is working on a core starting eleven, and the guys he has chosen are doing well at the moment. It could be disastrous to fiddle with a working combination. Unless one of the regulars suddenly looses form or gets injured, Mainoo should be very patient and wait for his chance, or look elsewhere for regular game time if that's what he wants urgently.
damn pretty mess up looking at the formation and placement i can tell they won't perform that good if they want champion league they need to change something can't let it like that
QueriisFiasi
0
yea same here buddy he should re organize the formation if not working out
That's the problem with Amorim. He has very fixed ideas about his formation, and that's probably why some of his players become redundant. Some players will fit excellently in a different system, but it seems like he would rather suffer than change his ideas to fit certain situations. I wonder how he will adapt if Mbeumo, Amad and Mazroui leave for Afcon.
Fudenpuz
0
He could really do that but Amorim is not really flexible by the look of things. He could try Mainoo elsewhere and see how he copes.
yea same here buddy he should re organize the formation if not working out
QueriisFiasi
0
well agreed mate but i think man utd should search for more players like in defence or something mainoo could try LB or 3/3/4
He could really do that but Amorim is not really flexible by the look of things. He could try Mainoo elsewhere and see how he copes.
Fudenpuz
0
It is completely understandable why Mainoo can't get a look-in now. Amorim is working on a core starting eleven, and the guys he has chosen are doing well at the moment. It could be disastrous to fiddle with a working combination. Unless one of the regulars suddenly looses form or gets injured, Mainoo should be very patient and wait for his chance, or look elsewhere for regular game time if that's what he wants urgently.
well agreed mate but i think man utd should search for more players like in defence or something mainoo could try LB or 3/3/4
QueriisFiasi
1
chosen ones who i dont see man utd perform it should be win at spurs mainoo could have put goals or create chances we even know how he perform before amorim came go look at records first mac tominay was the best player so far but still neglected by man utd
I agree with what you say. But let's assume Amorim judges his players on the performances they put in on the pitch when given a chance and how they are in training. Given his reputation, I'm sure he takes everything in with an eagle eye. Maybe he is still not seeing what he wants from Mainoo, both in training and whenever he gives him a chance. Don't get wrong, I also rate Mainoo highly cause I saw what he can do, and I'm hurt when I don't see him on the pitch. Maybe this should be the time he takes a hard look at himself and push himself to reach the next level. Maybe that's why Amorim is still having him on the lease. Or maybe Amorim just don't see anything useful in him, and then it would be better for him to make a move.
Fudenpuz
0
It is completely understandable why Mainoo can't get a look-in now. Amorim is working on a core starting eleven, and the guys he has chosen are doing well at the moment. It could be disastrous to fiddle with a working combination. Unless one of the regulars suddenly looses form or gets injured, Mainoo should be very patient and wait for his chance, or look elsewhere for regular game time if that's what he wants urgently.
chosen ones who i dont see man utd perform it should be win at spurs mainoo could have put goals or create chances we even know how he perform before amorim came go look at records first mac tominay was the best player so far but still neglected by man utd
cembcilnp
1
Amorim fuck you, we have already lost some quality players and u wanna keep adding on dat number just imagine now sesko has an injury u still dpn wanna play Zirkzee
sozkmorsty
0
last month the parents of academy's players have rwiten a letter to united hiérarchy! they said to sum up that they are tired to see how united mismanages their kids. and the way amorim is treatening academy's players... united is a desaster.Glazer's family are a cuse.
QueriisFiasi
1
It is completely understandable why Mainoo can't get a look-in now. Amorim is working on a core starting eleven, and the guys he has chosen are doing well at the moment. It could be disastrous to fiddle with a working combination. Unless one of the regulars suddenly looses form or gets injured, Mainoo should be very patient and wait for his chance, or look elsewhere for regular game time if that's what he wants urgently.
jutbdenrtz
0
But why weren't they socially telling them you can't even take a problem of that is actually agree , which I agree with the one. Why it is somewhat loc
Vokablnrsz
0
Amorim so far with his comments, keeps proving that he is not a top coach after all. He and his team, are only now, involved in the EPL and the FA Cup, while other top teams have the EPL, the FA Cup, and the Champions League, some, plus the Carabao Cup, Europa League, well, or the Conference League to contend with and, they are not giving excuses, so what is he talking about? He has found out that the EPL is not the Portuguese league. I really want him to succeed, but he should stop talking or, learn how to talk. Take correction.
Cayabelnop
1
he needs patience
Pass2Pogba
1
This story won't end unless Mainoo speak up for himself or.. Until he move to Napoli this Jan 2026... Now its involve so many players & managers already.. Then the owner of the club. So.. Pls just let him go.. if that what he want.
Mino os a backup. until then je stays on bench he's still young... no need to rush
Thaddy
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This story won't end unless Mainoo speak up for himself or.. Until he move to Napoli this Jan 2026... Now its involve so many players & managers already.. Then the owner of the club. So.. Pls just let him go.. if that what he want.
boecdempuy
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you are very stupid for that
faecelsuyz
1
Mr Scott.. back off please
ksantos
2
it was a huge mistake to let go of Scotty