Mainoo's renewed Man Utd future

Of all the comments Darren Fletcher made in his press conference at Carrington on Tuesday, confirmation midfielder Kobbie Mainoo had returned to training was one of the most significant.

Ruben Amorim's treatment of Mainoo has been viewed as a bell-weather for how invested the former Sporting coach was in Manchester United's academy and, by definition, the history of the club.

Amorim's exit and Mainoo's return are not connected but the juxtaposition is ironic.

It comes as the belief of Serie A title-winners Napoli that they can sign Mainoo in the current transfer window begins to recede. Neither are there any talks planned between the 20-year-old and the United hierarchy.

Fletcher said he would need to assess Mainoo before deciding whether to include him in his squad to face Burnley at Turf Moor tonight.

But the wider point is more significant. If, as expected, Fletcher and whoever follows him to end of the season plays with four at the back, it creates the extra space in midfield for Mainoo to play. Then it is down to his performances.