CONTE TARGETS ANOTHER MANCHESTER UNITED STAR FOR NAPOLI JANUARY
Man Utd's Kobbie Mainoo is unhappy with his lack of playing time under Ruben Amorim. Napoli boss Antonio Conte wants to sign the English midfielder in January as a replacement for Frank Anguissa.
Photo Credit: (Manchester United via Getty Images)
Kobbie Mainoo is still not happy at Manchester United after a difficult 2025–2026 season debut. During the tenure of former manager Erik ten Hag, the English midfielder gained popularity among supporters after rising through the ranks at the Theatre of Dreams.
Mainoo became one of the world's best young players under the Dutchman, and he also made his England debut.
In 2024, he scored and initiated the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City. The 20-year-old was also included in the starting lineup for the Three Lions' defeat by Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
After Ruben Amorim arrived at Old Trafford last November, Mainoo's status at the club took an unexpected turn. Mainoo was supposed to be the mainstay of United's squad makeover.
Having trouble finding opportunities this season
After a summer of offensive reorganisations, Mainoo, who was once a first-team regular under the Portuguese head coach, has fallen out of favour. Bruno Fernandes has been used in a more significant role this season due to the entrance of Matheus Cunha, which has reduced the young Englishman's playing time.
Mainoo played 37 games for the senior team last season, recording over 2000 minutes of action while scoring two goals and setting up another.
The young player has only played 203 minutes of first-team football in six games this season. The player has made five appearances off the bench in the Premier League, but his one start came in the heartbreaking EFL Cup loss to Grimsby.
Mainoo's status is unlikely to improve anytime soon, as Bruno Fernandes, the captain of United, is virtually invincible in Amorim's starting lineup.
According to recent reports, the player wants to depart in January to increase his prospects of playing for England at the FIFA World Cup the following year. Napoli now seems prepared to give him a lifeline.
Conte is keen to acquire Mainoo.
Antonio Conte has requested that Napoli recruit Mainoo in January to take Frank Anguissa's place, according to a Calciomercato report. The Italian boss wants the Englishman to replace the Cameroonian, who is expected to play for his country in the Africa Cup of Nations in December and January.
Conte thinks the child will blend in fairly nicely with his method. Scott McTominay, a former United midfielder, has already proven successful for Napoli. Rasmus Hojlund has also jumped right in after joining the Serie A team on loan this summer.
With Mainoo, the Partenopei now intend to pull the same prank. The young player may be amenable to a move himself after learning of his former teammates' improved circumstances in Italy.
The Red Devils might not be eager to let him go in the middle of the season, though, because it will be difficult and expensive to find a competent successor in January. In the meantime, his possible departure might also leave the team severely shorthanded in terms of midfield injuries.
The Premier League heavyweights would only part with their valuable asset if they received an enormous offer. The Serie A powerhouses might not have the funds to negotiate another huge deal for Mainoo because they already have a £38 million commitment to sign Hojlund next summer.
GUARDIOLA TIPS HAT TO DYCHE: ‘HE’S AMONG THE VERY BEST’
Pep Guardiola hails new Forest boss Sean Dyche as "the best" at set-pieces, noting the trend isn't new. He also revealed that Man City has struggled with dead-ball situations this season compared to rivals like Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola shaking hands with Sean Dyche - COURTESY/PHOTO
According to Pep Guardiola, Nottingham Forest has one of the best representatives of the new fascination in football at their disposal.
Although Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, and their ability to score goals from set pieces are admired by the football community, Guardiola has reminded everyone that the idea is not particularly new.
As demonstrated during his tenure as Burnley's manager from 2012 to 2012, he did, in fact, hail incoming Forest manager Sean Dyche as "one of the greatest."
The 54-year-old guided the Clarets into the Premier League and kept them there for six seasons before exiting Turf Moor.
Forest, who have only won one league game so far and are now in third place, can now access that knowledge.
Man City boss Guardiola said, “It’s true that people utilise every throw-in like a corner and put 10 players there in the box.
"Every move (Michael) Kayode made in the box caused us to suffer when we played at Brentford or watched Brentford play Liverpool in our hotel. Additionally, Kayode was the match's man.
“Today, set pieces are a menace. I recall being in Burnley a long time ago with Sean Dyche. Burnley posed a serious threat in the second and long balls.
"Dyche is by far the finest at these kinds of things. He has already done it; therefore, it is not fresh.
Or Sam Allardyce. Or I recall Stoke City when I was not here. Do you recall the throws made by Stoke City?
Maybe Stoke was the anomaly back then, but more and more teams are doing that now.
"I recall that Arsene Wenger mentioned playing at Stoke City while I was at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, but these days it happens frequently.
It may have happened (only) at Burnley or not at all when I got there, but it is a fact now. You must also pay attention. I still want to play, though.
This season, Arsenal has already scored nine league goals from set pieces, five from open play, and two from penalties.
With eight (plus eight from open play and one penalty), Chelsea is not far behind.
On the other end of the scale, though, are Forest and Man City. While City has scored 12 goals from open play, three more on the counterattack, and two own goals, they have yet to score from a set piece. The Reds have scored two of their five goals from restarts.
"Every manager does what they think," Guardiola stated. I am not ignorant of the fact that I want to score from corners and free kicks. I desire it. However, I dedicate my time to what we need to do to improve our play, attack, and generate opportunities. to score goals.
I pay attention, of course, but I am aware that I am not the manager to try to; I have done that my entire career. When things became rough at Burnley, I recall that we gave up maybe one corner, if any, as the second balls were under our control. That is the most effective method of defending these games.
However, you need to be strong in many areas for that, and we are working on it. I will keep working mostly on our game till the very end. And occasionally, as necessary, adjust.
At Brentford, we performed quite well. James, the French set-piece coach, did a fantastic job of enticing our guys into defending these kinds of acts. The same was true at Arsenal: it was amazing. We did not control the game against Arsenal; therefore, we gave up a lot of corners.
NAPOLI TAKE THREE-POINT LEAD AFTER CLOSE WIN AGAINST LECCE
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa's header secured a 1-0 win for Napoli over Lecce, moving them top of Serie A. The victory was sealed after Vanja Milinkovic-Savic saved a Francesco Camarda penalty.
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa celebrates scoring - Photo Credit: Getty Images
Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa scored another goal to give Napoli a narrow victory over Lecce, although Vanja Milinkovic-Savic also saved a penalty kick from Francesco Camarda.
The thrilling 3-1 victory against Inter put the Partenopei back atop the league, but it came at a price: Kevin De Bruyne will miss several months of action due to a significant thigh strain. Rasmus Hojlund and Amir Rrahmani returned to the bench, but Stanislav Lobotka, Alex Meret, and Romelu Lukaku remained on the treatment table. Leonardo Spinazzola and Scott McTominay were rested, and the 4-3-3 formation was reinstated. Following the 3-2 loss to Udinese, Lecce was without Gaby Jean, Filip Marchwinski, Matias Perez, and Riccardo Sottil.
Billy Gilmour's attempt was deflected wide as Napoli wore their special edition Halloween uniform, but Lorenzo Lucca unintentionally charged down a Matteo Politano strike that was on target.
On the Matias Olivera pull-back, Politano turned over from six yards out, while Medon Berisha also threatened by drilling wide from the area's edge.
Olivera had been put clear by a clever Gilmour first-touch lay-off, but Wladimiro Falcone made a fantastic stop with his legs at the near post.
On the cusp of halftime, Francesco Camarda's chest and half-volley was inches wide, yet it would not have been considered handball.
Moments after the restart, Noa Lang added to the growing list of Napoli players out after hobbling off with a hit to the thigh just above the left knee.
Lucca sprinted onto a long ball that Falcone hurried out to nod clear, and Politano's follow-up was charged down with the goalie off his line, creating a double chance to open the score.
After a VAR review, the Lecce penalty was given because Kialonda Gaspar's header on a corner seemed to hit Juan Jesus' hand, which bent back on impact. Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, who has saved five of the past nine Serie A penalties faced, demonstrated his expertise by parrying the spot-kick when Camarda stepped up.
Hojlund made his comeback from injury, with McTominay and Leonardo Spinazzola reinforcing the team off the bench for the final half-hour.
It paid off, as a free kick from David Neres was glanced into the far top corner off the head of Anguissa from six yards out, giving Napoli the lead.
Nikola Stulic was too slow to capitalise on a Danilo Veiga pull-back, Elmas shot wide, and Hojlund missed the Neres assist in stoppages.