Newcastle United are closely monitoring Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo as the January transfer window approaches, according to reports from talkSPORT.
The 21-year-old England international has grown frustrated at Old Trafford, having slipped down the pecking order under new manager Ruben Amorim. Mainoo was eager to leave United before the summer transfer deadline but saw potential moves blocked by the club.
Despite his desire for more playing time, the academy graduate was left on the bench during United’s disappointing 3-0 defeat to Manchester City in Sunday’s Manchester Derby.
Eddie Howe a Big Admirer of Mainoo
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is a long-term admirer of Mainoo and could be tempted to test United’s stance if the midfielder continues to be overlooked. Sources suggest even Mainoo’s teammates are baffled by Amorim’s lack of trust in the young star.
Mainoo, who famously scored the winner in the 2024 FA Cup final and started for England in the European Championship final in Berlin, has struggled for consistent minutes this season.
🚨🚨🎙️| Owen Hargreaves: “How Kobbie Mainoo doesn't play in this team I'll never know. He came on for that game [against Manchester City] and in half hour he was probably their best player, by a country mile.” pic.twitter.com/UEsfWQPxbv
— centredevils. (@centredevils) September 15, 2025
Limited Game Time at Manchester United
So far in the 2024/25 campaign, Mainoo has featured in just three of United’s five fixtures across all competitions. His only start came in the shock EFL Cup defeat to Grimsby Town, while he has played a total of just 73 Premier League minutes.
With Newcastle keeping tabs and Mainoo eager for regular football, the midfielder could become one of the most talked-about names in the upcoming January transfer window.
