Manchester United Forced Napoli and Roma to Scramble

Manchester United changing their coach midway through the January window significantly affected the plans of Roma and Napoli, which were tracking Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo.

According to Fabrizio Romano (via Tuttomercatoweb), the Partenopei were very close to securing the midfielder. The resurgences of Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund after leaving Old Trafford and moving to Campania contributed to convincing the player that it was the right path to take. The Azzurri reached an agreement with his agents on a loan with no option to buy in December. However, the Red Devils never gave their greenlight.

Mainoo stayed at Manchester United, and he’s been playing more under Michael Carrick, likely putting the Napoli rumors to bed for good, while Zirkzee will remain an option for Roma and other Serie A sides in the summer, as he continues to have a secondary role.

The youngster has started five games in a row, providing two assists. Instead, the Dutchman dealt with a minor injury and came off the bench late in the last tilt. While the Scudetto holders didn’t add anybody in the role, the Giallorossi pivoted toward Donyell Malen, which has paid stellar dividends right away.

Our Take on Napoli, Roma, Mainoo, and Zirkzee

Timing is crucial, but while the formula wouldn’t have been great in the former’s case, getting him in the door would have helped retain him somehow down the road. The Partenopei couldn’t have foreseen Frank Anguissa suffering another bothersome injury, but they should have signed a midfielder regardless. Instead, the capital club backed their way into a better signing, as the former Bologna star isn’t as good a goal poacher as their newcomer has quickly proven to be.