The chances of young midfielder Koby Mainoo leaving Manchester United during the winter transfer window have diminished following new developments within the team, according to the website "CaughtOffside."

The site reported that Manchester United is no longer prepared to allow Mainoo to leave in January after the team's captain, Bruno Fernandes, suffered an injury, which forced the club to reassess the depth of the midfield.

Mainoo had attracted genuine interest from Italy in recent weeks, with Napoli closely monitoring his situation as part of their efforts to strengthen the midfield, amid the Italian club's long-standing interest in the player and their attempt to sign him during last summer's transfer window.

However, coach Rúben Amorim and Manchester United's management decided to keep the player to maintain numerical balance in midfield, especially during this critical phase of the season.

The same source indicated that staying at United was not in Mainoo's favor recently, as the player felt frustrated due to limited playing time and opportunities, and was seriously considering leaving before Fernandes' injury against Aston Villa changed the course of his near future.

Fernandes is a pivotal figure in Manchester United's lineup this season, both as the team's captain and as a creative and mental cornerstone on the pitch, making his absence significantly reduce the chances of letting go of any other midfielder mid-season.

In this context, Mainoo shifted from being a candidate for loan or sale to an important option within the team's choices, as Rúben Amorim sees the player as a valuable asset during a period marked by instability.

Despite the player's frustration, staying could give him a new chance to prove himself amid Fernandes' absence and the pressure of matches, which might lead to increased participation and more opportunities to convince the coaching staff in the coming period.