Mainoo's loan bid rejected, stays at United amid midfield competition

Kobbie Mainoo has seen his opportunities limited at Manchester United this season and requested a loan move in the closing stages of the summer window, a bid that was rejected, sources close to the club said. The 20 year old has yet to start a Premier League match this campaign and is pushing for a first league start this weekend when United visit Liverpool at Anfield. Manager Ruben Amorim has insisted Mainoo and striker Joshua Zirkzee are staying at Old Trafford for now, saying the club will not entertain the idea of their departures in January.

Mainoo, a product of United’s academy, has made several substitute appearances but has struggled to break into Amorim’s preferred midfield combinations. Former United defender Wes Brown said the midfielder “will want to play” and urged the player and manager to communicate about what is required for him to earn more minutes. Former fullback Danny Simpson and other commentators have voiced concern that Mainoo has become a lower-priority option on the bench behind established starters and other substitutes such as Manuel Ugarte.

Amorim has repeatedly pointed to the competitive environment at United. “That is normal, and I also know that...