SCORN ON THE KOB

Mainoo misery as Bruno's KO could block January escape route

- BY STEVEN RAILSTON

KOBBIE MAINOO'S hopes of an escape from his Old Trafford nightmare have been dealt a severe blow by the injury to Bruno Fernandes.

The Manchester United youngster asked to go out on loan in the summer but was turned down and has not started a league game this season.

He is expected to ask again for the January window, especially with his fading hopes of going to the World Cup in mind because of lack of game time.

But manager Ruben Amorim admitted that Mainoo's chances of securing a move have been impacted by captain Fernandes (below) going down on Sunday and now out for the foreseeable future - meaning the Portuguese needs all hands on deck.

"If we are not getting someone [in], then we are shorter," Amorim said. "Even with a full squad, we are shorter when something can happen here.