Ruben Amorim insists he wants to keep Kobbie Mainoo but admits Man United may be forced to accept offers for homegrown stars amid PSR concerns
Ruben Amorim says he wants to keep Kobbie Mainoo at Manchester United, but admits the club face ‘a hard moment’ to turn down offers for their homegrown stars.
United are ready to let Marcus Rashford leave in the January transfer window, and are also open to selling Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho if big bids come in for the two academy products this month or in the summer.
Mainoo was previously considered untouchable but his representatives have reached deadlock with United over a new contract, with the 19-year-old understood to be looking for £180,000-a-week plus bonuses.
United are struggling to comply with profit and sustainability rules, and with homegrown players worth 100 per cent profit on the balance sheet, they would reluctantly entertain bids for Mainoo and Garnacho as well as Rashford.
revealed that Chelsea would be at the front of the queue if there is any indication that England midfielder Mainoo could be for sale, although they would face stiff competition from top clubs at home and abroad.
Asked about the possibility of selling Rashford and Mainoo, head coach Amorim alluded to the PSR situation as he said: ‘Our idea is always to keep the best players and the players we build for this club, but we know the position the club is in at the moment. We will see. I really like the players, especially the guys from the academy.’
Kobbie Mainoo was considered untouchable before a stalemate in contract discussions
Ruben Amorim’s side are currently struggling to comply with profit and sustainability rules
Asked specifically about Mainoo, he added: ‘My players are always my favourites, so I really love my players. I want to keep my players, especially the talented ones.
‘So like I said, it’s a special moment in this club, it’s a hard moment, we’ll see, but of course, I’m really happy with Kobbie. He is improving and also with the academy.’
Rashford has missed the last six games after indicating that he would consider a new challenge in his career, and Amorim was reluctant to say whether the unsettled star would return to the squad at Arsenal in the FA Cup third round on Sunday.
‘We will see guys,’ he added. ‘Let’s focus on the game. They are available, they are training, we will see for this game.’
