Manchester United set Kobbie Mainoo transfer decision timeline

Manchester United face a critical period in their season with the busy festive schedule approaching, and Ruben Amorim’s squad management is under close scrutiny after recent poor results.

Following draws against Everton and West Ham United, questions about squad depth and rotation have intensified, particularly around young talent seeking game time.

Injuries and international call-ups, including the African Cup of Nations, mean that squad decisions over the next month will be crucial to maintaining momentum in the Premier League.

United’s focus on the winter window and how it could impact transfers and loans is already shaping strategic planning at Carrington.

With key fixtures on the horizon, every selection decision carries weight for the team’s performance and long-term squad development.

The spotlight has now fallen on 20-year-old Kobbie Mainoo, who is reportedly ready to seek a loan move away from Old Trafford in January after growing frustrated at his lack of minutes under Amorim.

Kobbie Mainoo, who has yet to start a Premier League game this season and was an unused substitute for the fourth time during United’s 1-1 draw with West Ham, previously expressed a desire to go out on loan in the summer.

While United did not sanction a move then, his future remains uncertain, with only 171 minutes played in the league and a full 90 in the Carabao Cup against Grimsby Town.

United are expected to wait until after the African Cup of Nations concludes to make a decision, considering how the tournament will affect Cameroon’s Bryan Mbeumo and Ivory Coast’s Amad, as first reported by The Athletic.

Amorim has defended his selection choices, stating, “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 put Kobbie (on) when I feel I shouldn’t put Kobbie (on).”

He added: “I see it and I just want to win. I just put the players.

“I don’t look who it is, I don’t care about that, I just try to put the best players on the pitch.”

Addressing the possibility of Mainoo gaining more minutes while other players depart for AFCON, Amorim said, “I don’t know. It’s the same question.

“I don’t know what is going to happen. It depends.

“If I see in the training it is the best thing, I will put (him in). That is the only way I know how to respond to that.”

With departures like Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho over the summer, Mainoo is now the only academy graduate realistically in contention for a regular starting spot, though Shea Lacey has been included in the last three matchday squads without debuting.

Meanwhile, Toby Collyer is set to return to Carrington for rehabilitation after a groin strain requiring around eight weeks of recovery.

Manchester United travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on Monday evening, with squad decisions around young players like Kobbie Mainoo likely to influence the outcome.