Man Utd transfer news: Kobbie Mainoo issue emerges with Amorim willing to take big loss

Ruben Amorim is still keen to sign at least one more player at Manchester United before the end of the transfer window after a difficult start to the Premier League season, as he chases his first win

Manchester United have just under a week to finalise another transfer that can boost Ruben Amorim’s squad, while they are also running out of time to clear out more of their deadwood.

The transfer window slams shut on September 1, which doesn’t give United long to wrap up any remaining deals for a new midfielder that Amorim is craving.

United have signed three forwards in this window but now need more steel in the middle of the park, with fans unconvinced by the partnership of Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro so far this season.

After failing to win either of their opening two games of the Premier League campaign, it has heightened the need for reinforcements at Old Trafford – but club chiefs also know they need to secure exits to help them balance the books

Mirror Football has taken a look at the biggest Manchester United transfer news as we build up to deadline day.

READ MORE: Rio Ferdinand tells Man Utd star to ‘liven up’ and calls on coaches for extra trainingREAD MORE: Why Wayne Rooney would be frustrated playing for Man Utd under Ruben Amorim

Amorim’s three-man midfield wishlist

It’s clear Amorim isn’t happy with his current midfield options after keeping Manuel Ugarte and highly-rated youngster Kobbie Mainoo on the bench for the first games of the season.

Many saw that as sending a message to the United board that his options aren’t good enough and the club are hard at work trying to add another quality option who can provide solidity to United’s midfield.

United’s current options for defensive midfielders are Casemiro and Ugarte, with Amorim not viewing Mainoo as an out-and-out No 6, but neither are viewed as good enough for a regular starting spot.

The club have now earmarked three midfield targets for Amorim that could bolster the side in central areas, according to the Athletic. These are Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton and Sporting Lisbon’s Morten Hjulmand.

United were already in talks for Baleba earlier in the window and appeared to walk away from him after the Seagulls demanded £120m, though the club may be willing to change their valuation closer to deadline day.

It adds that their interest in Wharton and Hjulmand – who played under Amorim at Lisbon – is not developed at this stage.

Mainoo given transfer setback

As a result of United’s new midfielder search, Mainoo’s time at Old Trafford could be coming to an end after being brutally cut out of Amorim’s plans.

The 20-year-old was once the shining light of the club after breaking into the team but his prospects look gloomy indeed if he cannot get into Amorim’s team as things stand when the quality in midfield is so poor.

Should they sign another midfielder, it would further push Mainoo down the pecking order and he is now said to be considering his options.

The problem with Mainoo is that Amorim doesn’t view him as a No 6, which puts him down as competition for Bruno Fernandes rather than Casemiro – which has allowed Manuel Ugarte to get chances from the bench instead.

While Mainoo would be open to a United exit, the Athletic have reported that there are few options on the table for him at present.

With just a week left of the window, Mainoo is yet to have an official approach from any club in a major blow to his hopes of playing regularly before the 2026 World Cup with England next year.

United set for big loss on Hojlund

One player that looks certain to leave Old Trafford in the coming days is out of favour striker Rasmus Hojlund, who is closing in on a move to Napoli.

Multiple reports are claiming Napoli are confident of getting the deal done before deadline day, with the player joining on loan before a mandatory buy clause option for around £38m.

Hojlund will then be given a contract until 2030, ending his nightmare spell at United that has yielded just 14 Premier League goals across two seasons.

However, that eventual sale would represent a huge loss on the £72m United paid for him in 2023 after bringing him in from Atalanta.

Hojlund has scored 26 goals in all competitions in total but has gained huge criticism for his inconsistent displays and lack of clinical edge.

He will be returning to Serie A, where he enjoyed success with Atalanta during the 2022-23 campaign.

His future looked bleak when United signed new striker Benjamin Sesko for around £74m, which further pushes him out of the picture at Old Trafford.

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