Overview
- The midfielder has just six appearances and a single cup start for roughly 200 minutes under Ruben Amorim this season.
- A summer loan request was rejected, and fresh January speculation persists with Napoli credited by transfer reporters as a likely suitor.
- Amorim has said he believes in Mainoo but insists he must improve, with competition from Bruno Fernandes and preference for Casemiro or Manuel Ugarte limiting opportunities.
- Steve Nicol argues Mainoo has been "found out" for his off‑ball work, while Marcel Desailly highlights the growing priority of system fit over individual talent.
- Mainoo has trained in Spain during the international break and posted his workouts, as local coverage notes limited fixtures restrict rotation and a Spanish report claims he would be open to a Real Madrid loan.