Napoli have had great success signing Manchester United players in the past and Antonio Conte was ready to repeat his trick again.
Scott McTominay has become a Napoli idol after completing a £25 million move to the Serie A side last season.
Having been branded not good enough for the Red Devils, the Scotland international has proven his critics wrong and McTominay is now a Ballon d’Or nominee.
Napoli raided United again this summer with Rasmus Hojlund leaving on loan with a £38 million buy clause if they qualify for the Champions League in 2026/27.
Rasmus Hojlund is set to join former United players McTominay and Romelu Lukaku in Naples, and he was almost joined by another teammate.
Napoli led the chase to sign Kobbie Mainoo this summer
After failing to play a single minute in the opening two Premier League games of the season, United were stung by Kobbie Mainoo’s request to leave on loan.
The 20-year-old quickly grew frustrated at his lack of playing time and role in Amorim’s squad, but Ineos rejected Mainoo’s loan request.
Once it became clear to clubs that Kobbie Mainoo was open to leaving, interest flooded in from clubs all around Europe.
According to the Daily Mail, it was Napoli who were leading the race to sign Mainoo before Ineos intervened.
Roma, Marseille, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Everton all enquired about Mainoo, but he was told to stay put and fight for his place at Old Trafford.
Kobbie Mainoo will get his chance to impress at Man United
Amorim wants Mainoo to stay, but the United head coach has repeatedly urged the young midfielder to improve.
To do that, he will need game time, and so far this season that has been hard to come by. Mainoo’s only start came in the shock penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup.
Mainoo did come on at half-time against Burnley and impressed, and with Mason Mount and Matheus Cunha injured, there could be an opportunity for Mainoo to impress.
Up next, United face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium before welcoming Chelsea to Old Trafford.
READ MORE: Six winners and four losers from Man Utd transfer, window including Bryan Mbeumo and Kobbie Mainoo
Two huge games, and Mainoo has proven before that he often steps up on the biggest of stages.
It is up to Amorim to find a long-term place for Mainoo in his side, otherwise United run the risk of losing their most promising academy graduate from the past decade.
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