Napoli lead loan bid for Manchester United's Mainoo in January

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is expected to make a decision over his immediate future when the January transfer window opens, with reports saying Serie A champions Napoli are leading efforts to secure him on loan. The 20 year old England international has been out of the club's first-choice plans under manager Ruben Amorim and looks set to seek regular minutes away from Old Trafford to continue his development.

Mainoo asked to leave on loan during the summer after falling down the pecking order, but United declined because they could not find an adequate replacement. He has not started a Premier League match this season and has logged just over 100 minutes in the competition, appearing mainly from the bench. United have emphasized that he must remain and fight for his place; Amorim said in the closing days of the window, "I want Kobbie to stay. He needs to fight for his place, and we need Kobbie."

Sources indicate Napoli held advanced talks with United and Mainoo's representatives late in the summer and have maintained contact since, with the Italian club considering a loan as early as January. Napoli see the move as attractive in part because Mainoo would reunite...