Ruben Amorim declined to offer reassurance to Kobbie Mainoo after reports suggested the Manchester United midfielder is “deeply frustrated” with his lack of playing time and is ready to pursue a loan in January. The situation has become a pressing issue at United, where Mainoo has accumulated just 171 minutes across nine appearances this season and remains one of only four first-team players yet to start a Premier League match for the Red Devils.

Mainoo’s only start came in the shock Carabao Cup second round defeat to Grimsby Town. Once considered a bright prospect for the club, the 20-year-old has grown increasingly exasperated by limited opportunities, particularly with his place in England’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup under threat.

Reports in The Athletic claim the midfielder is “ready to seek a loan move” in the winter window and is keen on going abroad. Bayern Munich and Napoli have both been linked with prior interest. The draft also notes Napoli’s summer loan signing of Rasmus Højlund and that Scott McTominay moved from Man Utd in 2024.

United are expected to delay a final decision on Mainoo until after the Africa Cup of Nations, with Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo at the tournament stretching Amorim’s squad resources. The club could approve a loan to protect Mainoo’s value ahead of any potential summer sale, but options are still being considered.

After United’s 1–1 draw with West Ham on Thursday, in which Mainoo was an unused substitute, Amorim addressed the issue directly and made clear his selection priorities. On the matter he said: “Of course I understand. My job is to answer but I am trying to answer always the same thing. And you ask me always the same thing.

“I understand what you are saying. You love Kobbie. He starts for England, but that doesn’t mean I need to [play] Kobbie when I feel I shouldn’t [play] Kobbie.”

Ruben Amorim provoked a sharp response from Paul Scholes after appearing to laugh when Kobbie Mainoo was suggested as a possible attacking option for Manchester United during the draw with West Ham United. The exchange came amid a wider concern over United’s attacking form. It marks an attacking downturn for a United side that netted twice or more in five successive Premier League games between Oct. 4 and Nov. 8.

After the game Amorim questioned his options in front of goal, asking reporters: “We had more men to put in the offence? Who? Who would be more offensive?” When Mainoo’s name was put forward he was seen to laugh and said: “It was the second ball and I was worried with Matheus [Cunha], I know Bruno [Fernandes] reached the box really well, Mason Mount is playing in his position, they were trying to push us, Bryan [Mbeumo] has a lot of pace to try to win the ball in one transition, so that was my idea.”

Mainoo did not feature and has struggled for consistent minutes this season. Amorim defended his selection policy: “I see him as a starter like the other players,” Amorim insisted. “I just have to make a choice and then in the end, it’s not been Kobbie. In the future, I don’t know. Again, I always think the same thing with Casemiro. [He] was not playing and then he plays.

“I just want to win games. I don’t care who is playing.”

Scholes reacted angrily on social media, arguing that the situation risks harming the 20-year-old’s development. “Bulls—!” Scholes said. “The kid is being ruined, not being played in a team that can’t control a game of football. Hate seeing homegrown players leave but it’s probably best for him now, enough is enough.”

The report recalls Mainoo’s emergence late in 2023 under Erik ten Hag and his subsequent role for England at Euro 2024, when he was still 18, with observers noting his maturity on the ball.

Diogo Dalot, who scored in the match, highlighted United’s loss of control after taking the lead: “At 1–0 up with 30 minutes to go, I think we have to control the game much more,” he told Sky Sports. “Especially at Old Trafford. We cannot get as anxious as we got after the goal. We were maybe a little bit more sloppy with the ball possession.

“We had the game, there,” he added. “It’s the solution that we need to find. It can be various things. It shouldn’t be like this because you are fighting 60 minutes to score a goal and then when it happens you should keep doing the same things, even more controlling, longer possession so we can be dominant. Especially the play that goes to the corner that we conceded—that’s the kind of play that we need to avoid, especially against teams that are good on the counter.”

The Premier League shortlists for November have been published, highlighting individual runs that shaped the month.

Newcastle United winger Harvey Barnes closed November with three goals, two of which arrived in the win over Manchester City. Everton midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall delivered a memorable strike against Manchester United, also scoring against Newcastle and providing an assist against Fulham. Manchester City winger Jérémy Doku produced one of the season’s most eye-catching individual displays as he demolished Liverpool and helped Pep Guardiola’s side remain competitive in the title race.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes finished November with four assists, creating goals against Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace. Morgan Gibbs-White enjoyed a three-game scoring streak for Nottingham Forest, firing home against Man Utd, Leeds United and in the away victory at Liverpool.

Chelsea defender Reece James featured in all four of the Blues’ Premier League matches in November. His assist in the 1–1 draw with Arsenal capped off a truly stunning individual showing in a month which yielded a total of three clean sheets. Arsenal’s Declan Rice added attacking impetus with a goal against Burnley and an assist in the north London derby win over Tottenham Hotspur.

Brentford striker Igor Thiago continued his hot form, adding five goals across November with strikes against Newcastle, Brighton & Hove Albion and Burnley among them.

Managers with strong cases included Mikel Arteta after Arsenal’s unbeaten month, which produced wins over Burnley and Tottenham as well as draws with Sunderland and Chelsea. Unai Emery’s Aston Villa won three of four and emerged as outside contenders in the title race. Pep Guardiola’s Man City scored a league-high 10 goals in November, including the victory over Liverpool. Fabian Hürzeler’s Brighton & Hove Albion conceded once in four games, producing wins over Leeds, Brentford and Nottingham Forest. Chelsea went unbeaten under Enzo Maresca with three wins and a draw. Marco Silva’s Fulham recorded three wins over Wolves, Sunderland and Tottenham.

Recent monthly winners: Jack Grealish (Everton, August), Erling Haaland (Man City, September), Bryan Mbeumo (Man Utd, October). Recent manager winners: Arne Slot (Liverpool, August), Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace, September), Ruben Amorim (Man Utd, October).