Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim speaks out on Kobbie Mainoo transfer speculation
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Ruben Amorim does not want to sell Kobbie Mainoo – but admitted it will be hard for Manchester United to keep all their homegrown players.
United are keen to tie down the talented central midfielder to a new deal but the grim reality of their financial situation has presented challenges.
Reports in the week suggested that while they are not actively looking to sell Mainoo – or other talented academy players like Alejandro Garnacho – the club will listen to offers.
Under PSR rules, the sale of homegrown players represents pure profit in an accounting sense and could help raise vital funds for the Red Devils’ latest rebuild under Amorim.
Chelsea were one of the clubs credited with an interest in Mainoo, but Amorim insisted he is keen to keep the 19-year-old at Old Trafford.
‘Our idea is always to keep the best players and the players that we build for this club,’ Amorim told a press conference ahead of his FA Cup third-round tie with Arsenal.
‘But we know the position that this club is in at this moment, we will see but I really like our players, especially from our academy. I'm really happy with Kobbie, he's improving and also Garnacho.
Speaking more generally about United’s transfer policy, Amorim dismissed the idea that he wants new signings urgently but said the club must be smarter in the transfer market, including when it comes to cashing in on academy talent.
‘The first thing, I think, I don’t remember saying that I clearly want new players,’ he said.
‘What I said is that sometimes the profile for this system is different and many players came here with a different of idea how to play. So I don’t remember saying so clearly that I want new players.’
‘But we need to improve recruitment,’ he continued. ‘When we are targeting players we need to be sure that they will cope with the demands.
‘We have to improve the academy to bring young kids [though] that feel the club in the right way and also so that we can do business and have money to invest in the team.’
Marcus Rashford is another academy graduate linked with an exit this month having fallen out of favour under Amorim.
Rashford's representatives have reportedly held talks with AC Milan, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund already this month, with Arsenal also said to be a surprise contender for the 27-year-old’s signature.
Amorim, though, would not be drawn into commenting on Rashford’s future at Old Trafford, saying: ‘We will see, guys. We need to focus on the next game.’
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