English-Ghanaian midfielder Kobbie Mainoo set for winter Manchester United departure

England international of Ghanaian descent Kobbie Mainoo is seeking for a winter Manchester United departure amid lack of playing opportunities.

Mainoo is growing increasingly frustrated under manager Ruben Amorim, having struggled for game time since the commencement of the 2025/26 football campaign.

The 20-year-old midfielder requested for a summer departure in search of regular playing time, but the Premier League giants botched to sanction a move.

Sources close to Africasoccer.com indicates Mainoo is pushing for a winter departure from Manchester United in his quest to secure playing time elsewhere.

The Premier League giants are, however, expected to wait until after the African Cup of Nations tournament in mid-January to make a decision on Mainoo, given the uncertainty of how the tournament will impact Cameroon’s Bryan Mbeumo and Ivory Coast’s Amad Diallo.

The midfielder was an unused substitute for the fourth time this season when Manchester United played out a 1-1 draw with West Ham United on Thursday night in the Premier League.

Mainoo has yet to start a Premier League match for the Red Devils, fueling his desire to depart the club in the winter window.

Despite blocking his summer departure, the Portuguese tactician has barely sparingly used the English-Ghanaian midfielder thus season, undermining his future in the England national team ahead of the World Cup.

He has played 171 minutes in the Premier League, as well as the full 90 in the Carabao Cup against Grimsby Town.

Manchester United are set to weigh up whether it is better to keep Mainoo in the second half of the campaign or allow him to leave to play regularly, thus retaining his value if a summer sale is explored. Mainoo has held a preference to go abroad should he leave Old Trafford, with Bayern Munich among the clubs to have previously shown interest.