Kobbie Mainoo has reportedly told Manchester United that he wants to leave the club on loan before the transfer window slams shut.
The England international has signalled to his boyhood club that he wants regular game time this term, with manager Ruben Amorim stating previously that the 20-year-old was in direct competition with club captain Bruno Fernandes for a starting berth in his 3-4-2-1 system.
Mainoo did not feature in either of United’s opening Premier League fixtures - the 1-0 home defeat to Arsenal or the 1-1 draw at Fulham - but he did play all 90 minutes of the Carabao Cup defeat by Grimsby Town in midweek.
He played alongside Fernandes in the second half after the Portuguese was introduced at half time with United trailing 2-0 in Lincolnshire.
Now, The Athletic reports that Mainoo has requested a loan move ahead of the September 1 transfer deadline.
However, United have told the midfielder that he is not going anywhere - either temporarily or permanently - and the Red Devils expect their academy graduate to fight for his place.
The outlet details that Mainoo stressed that he would only be interested in a loan departure from Old Trafford, and that he would not want to leave United for good.
Mainoo featured 37 times in all competitions last term, but struggled for regular minutes when Amorim arrived at the helm to replace Erik ten Hag.
The Portuguese head coach has utilised Mainoo in a plethora of different positions, including as a defensive midfielder, a box-to-box midfielder, in the attacking midfield duo, and as a false nine.
