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Word on the street is that come the winter transfer window, Kobbie Mainoo will once again ask to leave Manchester United.

Towards the end of the summer window, Mainoo requested a loan move.

The United midfield prodigy anticipated he would not play a key role under Ruben Amorim and wanted to join a club where regular game time was guaranteed.

With this being a FIFA World Cup year, the 20-year-old’s sole focus was earning a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England Three Lions squad.

United blocked the loan request, insisting he had a key role to play. But that promise has not held up.

From prodigy to peripheral

Behind Bruno Fernandes in the pecking order, Mainoo has struggled for minutes.

Of the 900-plus minutes United have played this season, he has featured in just 207, a frustrating return for a player once hailed as the brightest talent to emerge from the academy.

From key man to squad player, Mainoo might feel his World Cup hope is slipping away.

However, he can revive that dream if he pushes for a move in January.

Top clubs keen

Several top clubs are already circling. Napoli are pushing hard to reunite...