Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has framed his handling of Kobbie Mainoo around squad balance and the wider fortunes of several academy graduates. Amorim said his 3-4-2-1 formation does not play to Mainoo’s natural strengths and pointed to recent examples among the club’s youngsters to explain limited minutes.

“[Collyer] is from the academy, he played here, went to West Bromwich [Albion] and he’s not playing,” Amorim highlighted. “He played for Manchester United, so sometimes it’s not because he’s from the academy or whatever. It’s the situation that’s happened.”

Amorim added that opportunities are decided by training and match performance. “The door is open for any player to change my mind. But in the end, it’s going to be the training, the games. Of course, he’s not playing so many games, but Kobbs, he had opportunities, especially last year. Everyone had [opportunities]. Especially last year, everyone has.

“Amass is now struggling in the Championship. Chido is not always a starter in U21s. All these guys played when a lot of people were saying, ‘Sack the manager.’ You can see that I’m not worried. I just look at the team and try to win the next game. I will do that until the end.”

Mainoo was reportedly open to a loan move in the summer but the club declined the request. Amorim said there have been no winter-exit talks to date and stressed communication with the player would be welcomed. “First of all, the team comes first,” Amorim vowed. “If Kobbie comes to me and talks to me, I will talk to him.

“I’m not going to say what I’m going to say to Kobbie, but I will be really pleased if Kobbie is coming to talk to me about that. I just want my players [to be] happy and understand that every individual has their goals. The frustration doesn’t help anybody.

“I had some conversations with him, especially last year, and with other players, but about that subject, no, I didn’t speak with him.”

Amorim acknowledged the broader context: Mainoo is one of few senior academy representatives after the summer departures of Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho, with an 88-year run of including a graduate in matchday squads at risk. The manager has admitted concern about ending that streak and The Telegraph note some inside United have concerns about how Mainoo has been handled. “Of course [I rate Mainoo], like everyone else,” Amorim insisted. “The problem is we are playing with two [midfielders] and you guys see Kobbie in a different way than I’m seeing.

“Maybe if you play with three midfielders, not with just two, Kobbie will have more minutes. Imagine that this happens. Someone in front is going to lose their spot. Sometimes it’s just the moment.

“I think I proved that if you change my mind [you can get into the team]. Casemiro is the biggest example. He was behind Toby and now he is a starter.

“Kobbs is one more player that I understand all the interests. I understand how important it is. The hopes that you guys and English guys have. I also just want to win. If he’s the right guy, I will put him in. No problem.”

Manchester United are reported to be in discussions with Wrexham about a potential repeat of the sides’ dramatic friendly next summer. The previous meeting ended 3–1 to Wrexham and included a serious injury to striker Paul Mullin, who suffered a punctured lung and broken ribs following a challenge from young goalkeeper Nathan Bishop, who would leave United just weeks later.

According to the Daily Mail, United are interested in arranging another fixture with the Championship outfit. The proposed match is expected to be one of two friendlies during the Red Devils’ planned trip to Scandinavia, rather than the United States where the earlier meeting took place.

Club officials are debating how the 2026 World Cup might affect summer demand. Some believe the tournament will boost interest in matches that summer, while others fear fans will be fatigued by the time United begin friendlies. Ticket sales are central to that decision and reduced demand would likely prompt a different approach, given the significant logistical upheaval of a trip to the United States.

For Wrexham, the proposed friendly would provide a celebration following their first season back in the Championship. The Red Dragons had been among the title favourites during their time in the lower divisions but have since found themselves in a genuine battle in the second tier. The Championship is described as famously difficult to escape and often goes right down to the wire.

At the time the potential friendly was reported, Wrexham sit 14th in the Championship standings, four points adrift of the playoff places and 10 clear of the relegation zone. New investment from Apollo Sports Capital has been cited as a boost to the club’s long-term aim of reaching the Premier League and, potentially, meeting United at the top level.

Napoli have not dismissed the possibility of pursuing Kobbie Mainoo on loan as the Manchester United midfielder seeks regular playing time. Mainoo has struggled for minutes under Ruben Amorim and is reported to favour a temporary move abroad when the January transfer window opens, with links to Napoli and Bayern Munich.

Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna spoke to Sky Sport Italia about the club’s potential involvement, suggesting any approach would be evaluated. “He is a player who has been linked to Napoli since August, also for his age, his potential, and the transfer opportunity,” Manna said. “This team is doing well, it is consolidated. We have some important absences right now, but sooner or later the lads will return, strong and determined. We have to make the right evaluations, so we’ll see how things progress along the way.”

The interest is framed by recent business between the two clubs. Napoli have taken Scott McTominay and Rasmus Højlund from Manchester United in the past couple of years, moves that the Italian club will be conscious of as they weigh any further activity.

Reports in the Daily Mail indicate Mainoo has chosen Napoli as his preferred destination and that “at least 12 clubs” could show interest if Manchester United permit a loan. The player was thought to have been keen on a move to Naples over the summer as well. Any transfer is likely to depend on United’s willingness to engage and whether the club requires a replacement first. It has also been suggested a decision on Mainoo might be delayed until after Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo return from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Mainoo’s limited appearances this season have prompted questions whenever Amorim has faced the media. On the topic, the United boss said: “I see it. I just want to win, I try to put the players, I don’t look who it is, I don’t care about that, I’m just trying to put the best players on the pitch,” reinforcing that selection is based on performance and team needs.