NAPOLI WANTS KOBBIE MAINOO: MAN UTD STAR CONSIDERS JANUARY EXIT
Napoli is interested in Man Utd's Kobbie Mainoo, who is struggling for minutes under Ruben Amorim. Former star Nicky Butt warned the club not to waste the academy talent.
Manchester United's manager, Ruben Amorim, has some choices ahead of the January transfer window.
When January rolls around, Manchester United can shake up its squad. This winter presents an opportunity to get some fresh blood. If needed, the Red Devils could also let some players leave.
Over the summer, Amorim was busy in the market, picking up players like Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, and Matheus Cunha. The former Sporting Lisbon coach took over at Old Trafford in November 2024, replacing Erik ten Hag.
Napoli is Interested in Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo
According to Football Italia, Napoli has ‘asked’ about signing Kobbie Mainoo from United. The Italian team wants the 20-year-old, who is contracted at Old Trafford until June 2027, but his long-term future is not certain.
Mainoo is an England international with 10 caps. He has seen less playing time with his current team recently under Amorim. So, it wouldn’t be a shock if he moved to a different team.
Born in Stockport, he came up through United's academy and played regularly for their youth teams. He made his first-team debut in January 2023 in a Carabao Cup game against Charlton Athletic. Since then, he has played 81 games in all competitions, including nine this season, scoring seven goals.
Will Manchester United Sell Kobbie Mainoo?
United has a tough call to make about Mainoo. No one questions his skill, and he has room to improve. But he does not seem to fit into Amorim's plans, which is unfortunate for the player.
A move to Napoli would be a new challenge. They won the Italian league last season and are in the Champions League. In Naples, he would team up again with Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund.
Former United player Nicky Butt shared his thoughts on Mainoo, according to Sky Sports: “I’m worried about him because he’s a star. He joined the England team at 18/19 and played great in the Euros.
“He’s been with Man United’s academy since he was seven. He was there when I was the academy manager. I know him well. I know his talent. The crazy thing is, if Kobbie Mainoo played for a team like Crystal Palace, or any club other than Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool, or Chelsea (where it’s hard to sign their players), Man United would want to sign him in January for a big fee.
“It’s sad because I know how much he loves football and the club. More importantly, we all know how talented he is, and it would be a shame to waste it.”
WHY MARCUS RASHFORD IS OFFICIALLY SNUBBING MICHAEL CARRICK’S MANCHESTER UNITED SOS RETURN PLEA
Marcus Rashford has no interest in a Manchester United return. Discover why he’s choosing a permanent £26m move to Barcelona instead.
Marcus Rashford isn’t looking back at Manchester United. After his loan to Barcelona, he’s made it pretty clear he wants to stay in Spain for good.
He landed at Barca last summer, a move that made sense after things soured for him at Old Trafford. Hansi Flick brought him in on a season-long loan, with a deal in place to buy him for €30 million (£26 million). Rashford wasted no time showing his worth—22 goal contributions in 32 games. He’s settled in fast, and the fans have noticed.
Earlier on, it sounded like Barcelona might try to haggle over the fee, maybe push for another loan or a cheaper deal. But now, according to Marca, that’s off the table. The club’s ready to pay what they agreed and make Rashford’s move permanent. Rashford wants it too. Everyone seems to be on the same page.
The Mirror reports Rashford has zero interest in heading back to Manchester. He wants his future sorted before England sets off for the 2026 World Cup in North America. No surprise there—he’s not looking to drag things out.
England’s first match is June 17 against Croatia, just two weeks after Barcelona’s season wraps up. Some talk suggested Michael Carrick, if he gets the United job permanently, could try to lure Rashford back. But honestly, Rashford’s mind is made up. He wants Spain, and that’s that.
Even if the Barcelona deal somehow falls through, Rashford would rather move elsewhere than wear United’s shirt again. If everything goes as planned, his transfer will be United’s first big move this summer.
He’s not the only one heading out. Casemiro’s already confirmed he’s leaving, and a few others might follow. United have juggled rumours about guys like Manuel Ugarte, Joshua Zirkzee, and Kobbie Mainoo, especially back in January. After Ruben Amorim left, Mainoo actually found himself in a stronger spot at United and has started every match since Carrick came back. Lately, there’s been a real push to get him into the England squad.
Meanwhile, United are fighting for a Champions League spot. If they make the top five, they’ll have more cash to play with this summer. Last year, they spent over £200 million beefing up the squad, even without European football.
If Rashford, Ugarte, and Zirkzee all leave, United will have even more flexibility to reshape the team. Top priorities? A central midfielder, a centre-forward, and a left winger before the 2026/27 season kicks off. This summer’s shaping up to be busy at Old Trafford.
COLE PALMER "OPEN" TO MANCHESTER UNITED SWITCH AMID HOMESICK RUMORS
Cole Palmer is reportedly open to a summer move to boyhood club Manchester United as claims of homesickness emerge at Chelsea.
Cole Palmer just can’t seem to escape transfer talk. Now, it’s Manchester United in the headlines, with rumours swirling that he’s homesick after spending two and a half years at Chelsea.
Apparently, Palmer wouldn’t mind a big summer move to United—his boyhood club—especially with fresh claims that he’s not exactly settled in London. He joined Chelsea from Manchester City in a £42.5 million deal and quickly became one of their main attacking threats. But now, the England international’s name keeps popping up in connection to a return up north.
The Sun says Palmer would be open if United came calling, since he grew up supporting them. But don’t expect him to head back to City while Pep Guardiola’s still the boss. That door’s basically closed.
It’s worth noting that Jason Wilcox, United’s director of football, knows Palmer well from his time at City’s academy. Wilcox is a big fan—hard not to be, after Palmer racked up 15 goals and eight assists in the Premier League last season.
Despite signing a new deal with Chelsea last year that runs until 2033, Palmer reportedly misses his hometown of Wythenshawe.
Injuries have made this season tough for him. He’s only managed 13 appearances in the 2025-26 campaign, and he missed Chelsea’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday because of a thigh problem. Liam Rosenior, Chelsea’s new head coach, confirmed that before the match.
Rosenior’s already tried to put a lid on the transfer rumours, especially the talk about Palmer being homesick. “I’ve spoken to Cole plenty of times, and he seems really happy here,” Rosenior said last week. “He’s a huge part of our long-term plans.
“My job—and the club’s—is to help him consistently play at his best. He was frustrated after the Brentford game, for sure. We need to take care of him, and that’s why I kept him out of the last match.”