Kobbie Mainoo Sparks Bidding Frenzy as Six Top Clubs Circle Manchester United Star

Manchester United reportedly rejected up to six loan requests for midfielder Kobbie Mainoo before the recent summer transfer window closed.

Mainoo has found himself on the fringes of Ruben Amorim's squad during the opening stages of 2025–26, with his first Premier League outing of the campaign coming as a second-half substitute in the match against Burnley. His sole starting appearance across all tournaments has been in the Carabao Cup, as the United manager has favored deploying Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro as his central midfield partnership in league fixtures.

The more attacking split No. 10 positions, where Mainoo has also featured previously, have been occupied by Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Mason Mount. In the Burnley encounter, the England midfielder operated in central midfield, allowing Fernandes to move forward as Mount's replacement.

United and Amorim were determined for Mainoo to remain and compete for his position, but Cunha's injury sustained against Burnley, along with Mount's precautionary substitution in the same fixture, are believed to have strengthened the club's resolve to retain Mainoo.

The Daily Mail reports that "there was no shortage of interest" in the 20-year-old. Napoli, offering the prospect of linking up with Scott McTominay in Italy, had already emerged as a potential destination, but the article also identifies Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, Everton, Roma and Marseille as clubs who were unsuccessful in attempting to secure Mainoo's departure from Old Trafford.

"I want Kobbie to stay," Amorim stated several days before the transfer deadline, following reports that Mainoo had requested a loan move

"He needs to fight for his place, and we need Kobbie, so that is not going to change. I understand that the players that are not playing in this moment are disappointed. Everyone will have the same opportunity to play. You have to fight during the week."