Koby Mainu has been on Manchester United’s fringes this season, but the England midfielder has been linked with a move away in the January transfer window.
Manchester United star Koby Mainu has not performed well enough this season to warrant a starting spot, according to former Premier League midfielder Dan Gosling. The 20-year-old has fallen out of favor under manager Ruben Amorim and his hopes of a World Cup call-up have waned, leading to suggestions he may need to leave Old Trafford in January.
Mainu has played just over 200 minutes in the Premier League this season, but Amorim believes he does not have the qualities to play in a double pivot in a 3-4-2-1 system. The academy graduate’s only start this term was in the Carabao Cup, where he played the full game but suffered a shock defeat to Grimsby Town.
“He should stay and fight for his place,” Gosling told Sky Sports’ Transfer Show. “You’re at Manchester United. It’s too easy for players to leave United now. Everyone wants to leave to run the club better. No, you’re at Manchester United. Do your job.”
“Ruben Amorim chose him not because of his personality or any other personnel. He obviously hasn’t done enough on the training pitch. He hasn’t done enough on the training pitch to deserve his place. It’s simple. If you’re not working hard every day, you can’t play. Yes, there is competition for[Bruno]Fernandes, but there are other spots as well.”
“That’s Casemiro’s position. He was out of the spot, but he was shaky. His performances have gotten better. His size has gotten better. I don’t think he’s the answer yet, but Maynou can compete with him. He can also play higher up. Obviously he’s not working hard enough every day to convince Ruben Amorim.”
read more: Lisandro Martinez tells Man United manager exactly what he thinks about emergency position changeread more: Ruben Amorim issues huge transfer warning to Manchester United following injury to Bruno Fernandes
Mainoo looked set to get a chance to impress on Sunday after playing 30 minutes in the 4-4 draw with Bournemouth a few days ago. Casemiro’s suspension left an opening in the center of the park, but Mainu was injured in training and missed the match.
That meant Manuel Ugarte partnered Fernandes in midfield, but the Uruguayan was unable to enjoy the glory of a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa. Furthermore, Fernandes only played 45 minutes due to injury and will be assessed before United face Newcastle on Boxing Day.
Napoli are also one of the clubs rumored to be linked with Mainu, with summer signing Kevin De Bruyne injured and the club in need of reinforcements in midfield. However, United were unlikely to allow Fernandes to move in early January even before his injury.
United are not expected to sanction the departure of the three players who featured in the African Cup of Nations until they return to club duty. Nousser Mazraoui’s Moroccan team started with a 2-0 win against the Comoros, while Brian Mbemo and Amad will play their first games of the tournament on Christmas Eve, representing Cameroon and Ivory Coast respectively.
Asked about Mainu’s absence at Villa Park, Amorim said: “I went to the doctor after training. He had something in his calf.” “We will evaluate, but he is missing this game.
“Of course (the timing was bad), but it’s not only the team that has this problem, but also him. These are reminders that we need to focus on everything we can control and leave the rest to fate.”
“I think he’ll be fine in a few weeks, but I don’t know. Let’s focus on the players we have and are ready to play.”
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