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Manchester United are braced for a fresh approach from Napoli to sign Kobbie Mainoo in the January transfer window after an unfortunate twist for the Serie A champions, according to Fabrizio Romano.

A Failed Summer Move

Napoli are long-term admirers of Mainoo and made overtures towards signing him in the summer transfer window.

The Neapolitan club had already agreed a loan move for Rasmus Hojlund, who has enjoyed a resurgence in form under the tutelage of Antonio Conte, but were interested in striking a similar deal for his English teammate.

Mainoo has fallen down the pecking order under Ruben Amorim this season. The Portuguese tactician has preferred a midfield pivot of Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, opting for guile and experience over youth in his engine room.

But this decision was already evident at the beginning of the season, when the transfer window was still open, and it led Mainoo to push for an exit, with one eye on the World Cup next year in the United States.

The England international is desperate to secure his place in Thomas Tuchel’s squad.

But he knows he this is unlikely from the bench at Old Trafford, particularly with the...