Kobbie Mainoo targeted by SIX clubs on transfer deadline day including three in Premier League

Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo had enquiries from six clubs on transfer deadline day after informing the club of his desire to be loaned out, including three in the Premier League.

Mainoo has slipped down the pecking order at Old Trafford under Ruben Amorim, with Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes the preferred midfield pairing in his 3-4-3 system.

The club's academy prospect was once seen as a future superstar in the team after his breakthrough in the 2023-24 Premier League season, but he has struggled to kick on since Amorim's arrival at the end of last year.

Mainoo has not played any minutes in the league this season, with Amorim saying he did not see him as a No 6. He said was instead competition for Bruno Fernandes as a more creative player, which will further limit his opportunities.

As a result, Mainoo sought to leave the club on a temporary basis to get more minutes ahead of the 2026 World Cup with England next year, but was blocked by United.

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The 20-year-old was told to fight for his place instead and United had to fend off interest from a host of clubs hoping to snap up the exciting midfielder on loan, according to the Daily Mail.

United received enquiries from three teams in the Premier League - Tottenham, Aston Villa and Everton - while they had another three from other teams across Europe. Marseille, Roma and Napoli were all interested in taking the player on loan for the season.

Napoli in particular were eager on getting the deal done, with manager Antonio Conte envisaging him playing alongside former United midfielder Scott McTominay - who is flourishing under the Italian.

There could now be opportunities for Mainoo to feature in midfield after Matheus Cunha suffered a hamstring injury, which could mean Fernandes will be pushed further upfield behind the striker.

He played the second half of United's 3-2 win over Burnley on Saturday and Amorim insisted he didn't want the player to leave before the game.

"I want Kobbie to stay," he said. "He needs to fight for his place, and we need Kobbie, so that is not going to change.

"I understand that the players that are not playing in this moment are disappointed. Everyone will have the same opportunity to play. You have to fight during the week."

Mainoo has featured 74 times in total for United, scoring seven goals. He joined the club at the age of seven before making his first team debut ten years later. Mainoo has already picked up ten caps for England and started in the team's 2-1 loss to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.

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