Scott McTominay wants Napoli to sign his “remarkable” former Manchester United teammate who is out of favour under Rúben Amorim

Kobbie Mainoo, Scott McTominay. (REUTERS/Hannah Mckay)

Manchester United’s gradual resurgence under Rúben Amorim continued last weekend with a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur, stretching their unbeaten Premier League run to five games.

A last-gasp Matthijs de Ligt header salvaged a point for the Reds, keeping their climb up the table on track — now sitting seventh, in far better shape than the chaos of last season.

Amorim’s impact has been clear, restoring intensity, structure and belief to a squad that once looked lost. Players such as Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha are thriving, but one young star who has struggled to impress the new boss is Kobbie Mainoo.

The 20-year-old has yet to start a Premier League game this season and is reportedly becoming frustrated by his lack of minutes — and now, it seems one of his former teammates wants to rescue him.

According to The Sun, Scott McTominay has encouraged Napoli to make a move for his former Manchester United teammate Kobbie Mainoo in January.

Mainoo has found himself on the fringes at Old Trafford under Amorim, and with no European football and United already out of the EFL Cup, his chances of forcing his way into England’s 2026 World Cup squad appear slim unless he finds regular minutes elsewhere.

The report claims that Mainoo – once described as “remarkable” by Gary Lineker – is also frustrated by his current contract situation, which places him among the lowest earners in United’s senior squad — a deal that has yet to be improved despite his growing reputation.

A source told The Sun: “Scott has been to see Conte and told him to get Kobbie. He’s told him all about his strengths and what an outstanding player he is.”

The source added: “He knows all about him from his time at United and thinks he would be a great addition to the squad, whether it’s on loan or a permanent deal.”

McTominay, who made the switch to Napoli last summer, has become a huge hit in Serie A — scoring 12 goals in his debut season, winning Napoli’s Player of the Year, and finishing 18th in the Ballon d’Or voting.

Napoli, managed by Antonio Conte, already have Rasmus Højlund on loan from Manchester United, and relations between the two clubs are said to be strong — potentially paving the way for another cross-continental deal.

If a move materialises, it could hand Mainoo the fresh start he needs.

Barnaby Lane is a highly experienced sports writer who has written for The Times, FourFourTwo Magazine, Sports Illustrated, TalkSPORT, and Business Insider.

Over the years, he's had the pleasure of interviewing some of the biggest names in world sport, including Usain Bolt, Rafael Nadal, Christian Pulisic, and more.