The Christmas period at Old Trafford has been rocked by a burgeoning transfer saga involving academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo. On Thursday, December 25, 2025, reports from Fabrizio Romano and The Express suggest that the 20-year-old is "more than tempted" by a January move to Napoli, driven by a desire to emulate the spectacular success of former teammate Scott McTominay.
Mainoo’s frustration reportedly stems from his limited role under Ruben Amorim, who has primarily viewed the midfielder as a direct competitor for captain Bruno Fernandes in his 3-4-2-1 system.
The "Scott McTominay" Inspiration
Mainoo has reportedly been closely watching McTominay’s transformation in Italy. Since moving to Naples in 2024, the Scotland international has:
Won the 2025 Serie A Title as a core starter.Been named Serie A Player of the Year (2025), becoming the first Scot to win the award.Scored 16 goals across his debut season and the first half of the current campaign. Sources close to Mainoo suggest he wants to use a loan spell at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona to show Manchester United that their academy products are "world-class starters" rather than "squad options." His goal is reportedly to return in June 2026 and tell the United board: "Do NOT make the same mistake you made with Scott."
The "Napoli" Deadlock: Why It’s Stalling
While Mainoo is reportedly "pushing" for the exit, the move has hit several major hurdles this week:
The Bruno Fernandes Factor: Captain Bruno Fernandes sustained a hamstring injury on Sunday, December 21, and is expected to be out for up to a month. With United’s midfield depth already thin, Dharmesh Sheth (Sky Sports) reports there is now "no scenario" where United allow Mainoo to leave in January.
Napoli’s Financial Constraints: Recent reports from Corriere Dello Sport indicate that Napoli is currently over their labor cost threshold.
This means Antonio Conte's side can only pursue "dry loans" (loans with no fee/obligation), a structure Manchester United is currently refusing to accept for a player valued at over £50 million.
The Calf Injury: In a cruel twist, Mainoo has also picked up a calf strain that has ruled him out of the Boxing Day clash with Newcastle.
Amorim’s Stance: "Fight for Your Job"
Mikel Amorim has been firm in his public comments, insisting that while he understands the "English hope" surrounding Mainoo, the player must prove himself in training.
"The door is open for any player to change my mind," Amorim said. "I understand the frustration, but I just want to win. If he is the right guy, I will put him in."
The Verdict: While Mainoo is "desperate" to prove his worth in Italy, the injury to Bruno Fernandes has effectively locked the door on a January exit. Unless Manchester United secures a new midfielder like Carlos Baleba or Adam Wharton early in the window, Mainoo will likely have to stay and fight for his place at Old Trafford until the summer.