Overview

• Manchester Evening News reports Mainoo requested a loan in the summer, which was rejected as Ruben Amorim kept him in the squad plans.
• Mainoo’s only start this season came in the Carabao Cup, with his Premier League involvement limited to substitute appearances.
• Amorim says he believes in Mainoo’s potential but will select based on training, viewing him in direct competition with captain Bruno Fernandes.
• Casemiro’s red card against Chelsea rules him out for the Brentford trip, increasing scrutiny on whether Amorim turns to Mainoo or opts for Manuel Ugarte alongside Fernandes.
• Rio Ferdinand urged United to keep Mainoo, while reporting indicates the midfielder has hired a new private chef and worked with a coach to push for more minutes.