Ruben Amorim is reportedly trying to block a January transfer involving Kobbie Mainoo, who has been tipped to leave Manchester United next month. The young midfielder is yet to start a single Premier League game for the Red Devils despite making 10 appearances off the bench. It has led to speculation that Mainoo could seek a January exit with the aim of playing more football elsewhere.

He was linked with a move away in the summer window and reportedly asked United if he could leave Old Trafford on loan. However, his request was turned down with club chiefs choosing to keep him around for the time being. The situation could be revisited in January but reports have suggested that it could be the same result.

Napoli want to sign Mainoo at the turn of the year but Amorim ‘has put up a wall against his sale’, according to Italian outlet Il Mattino. The report states the midfielder is ‘completely appreciated’ by the Italian giants, who want to strike an early deal.

It’s also claimed that former United playmaker Scott McTominay ‘had a hand in recommending’ Mainoo as a potential signing in the middle of the park.

The report adds that Mainoo would be eager to sign for the reigning champions in order to boost his chances of making the England squad for next summer’s World Cup, where he would hope to arrive as a ‘protagonist’.

However, those in power at United are said to be reluctant to do business, with Amorim particularly opposed to the idea of letting Mainoo leave. As a result, a deal ‘won’t be easy’ for Napoli to engineer.

It comes after Amorim issued a scathing response to those urging him to give Mainoo more minutes, with the United boss scrutinising the quality of the club’s academy graduates.

He specifically mentioned Mainoo as well as Harry Amass, Toby Collyer and Chido Obi, all of whom have been offered chances to shine under his stewardship.

“He (Collyer) played (for the United first team),” said Amorim. “He’s from the academy. He played here. He went to West Bromwich. He’s not playing.

“He played for Manchester United, so sometimes it’s not because he’s from the academy or whatever. It’s the situation, what’s happened. I don’t know what is going to be the future (for Mainoo). Let’s see after this match (against Bournemouth).

“Amass is now struggling in the Championship. Chido (Obi) is not always a starter in the under-21s. All these guys played when a lot of people were saying sack the manager.”