Fabrizio Romano has explained that one Manchester United star still has a big role to play under Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford during the 2025-26 Premier League season.
Ruben Amorim has received a boost at the Red Devils this season after Manchester United have won their last three Premier League clashes under his managerial reign.
The 40-year-old United manager has been subject to major criticism during the early stages of the 2025-26 Premier League campaign after the Red Devils’ run of form.
However, United have finally appeared to find some footing under Amorim and the Red Devils are now only one point outside of the Premier League top four.
United defeated Brighton 4-2 at Old Trafford in their last Premier League outing, following on from their winning results against Sunderland and Liverpool this month.
Fabrizio Romano provides a transfer update on Kobbie Mainoo amid his role under Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim
Kobbie Mainoo has been battling for Manchester United first-team minutes this season after falling down the pecking order at Old Trafford under Ruben Amorim.
The 20-year-old Stockport-born talent has played in seven Premier League matches in the 2025-26 campaign, but all of his appearances have come from the bench.
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that there have been rumblings around striker Joshua Zirkzee and Mainoo, with the 2026 January window right around the corner.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said: “Also, guys, I wanted to mention [that] as we say in the January market is coming, the movements are coming.
“Well, one of the players that we have to follow for the January transfer window is for sure Kobbie Mainoo.
“Kobbie Mainoo, because I told you that Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee have this desire to play more, but on the other side, Manchester United still insist to keep the players at the club.”
Romano added that United manager Amorim is wary of the fixture run that the Red Devils will experience over Christmas, despite no European football this season.
“Ruben Amorim is insisting to keep them because there will be many games in the next [few] months,” he continued.
“Okay, Man United don’t play European competitions, but they’re in a very good moment; there will be many games around the Christmas time and the end of the year.
“So, Amorim wants as many players as possible for that time and for the end of the season.”
Fabrizio Romano on why Ruben Amorim wants to keep Kobbie Mainoo at Man Utd amid the transfer interest
Kobbie Mainoo’s situation at United under Amorim has sparked interest from clubs and the Red Devils midfielder is keen to secure regular first-team football again.
Romano has now said that the England international will play a key part for Amorim in the second half of the campaign, despite Napoli’s firm interest in the player.
“The second part of the season is going to be very important, so Amorim hopes to keep Kobbie Mainoo,” he added.
“There is interest from Napoli after the injury to Kevin de Bruyne. Napoli wanted the player last summer and remain interested in Kobbie Mainoo.”
Napoli are not alone with their interest in Mainoo, with Romano also saying that Premier League side West Ham could look at a January move for the Three Lions star.
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