- 20-year-old wants regular first-team football
- United could warm to loan deal abroad
- Mainoo yet to feature in the Premier League
United in Focusreport Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi is keen on adding the 20-year-old to his squad, which also features former United youth products Greenwood and Angel Gomes. Ruben Amorim and the Old Trafford hierarchy had previously blocked any move for Mainoo but could warm towards a loan deal on the agreement it would be outside of the Premier League. RB Leipzig are also believed to be interested in the player.
Mainoo and his camp are reportedly pushing for the move as the youngster is adamant he needs first team football to force his way into Thomas Tuchel’s plans for the upcoming World Cup. The German manager omitted Mainoo from his squad for the Three Lions’ upcoming qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia, with Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson given the nod in a revamped midfield. The 20-year-old and his camp do not want a permanent move away from Old Trafford.
Mainoo hasn’t appeared in either of the Red Devils’ two Premier League games so far this season, remaining on the bench in both their loss to Arsenal and draw with Fulham. He featured from the start during United’s embarrassing Carabao Cup exit at the hands of League Two side Grimsby Town.
United fans will be desperate for the youngster to remain part of the club’s long-term plans at the very least, but Mainoo’s agitation for more playing time could well force Amorim’s hand. Either he has to find a role for the midfielder or allow him to play in another club’s colours ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
