Ruben Amorim insists he wants to keep Kobbie Mainoo amid Chelsea interest but says Man Utd face ‘difficult situation’
RUBEN AMORIM insists he wants to keep Kobbie Mainoo – but he’s just not sure if he will be allowed to.
Manchester United’s growing concerns of staying within Prem profit and sustainability rules means the new manager has little or no money to spend in the current transfer window.
In addition, to stave off a possible points deduction, some stars may have to be sacrificed and it has emerged that while unhappy Marcus Rashford will be sold to the highest bidder, home-grown Mainoo could also be up for grabs.
Alejandro Garnacho’s future is also uncertain amid the desperation to raise cash.
But Mainoo, 19, would be the prized target, worth at least £60million and he is the one Amorim would least like to see sold to make ends meet.
The Old Trafford boss stressed: “I am really happy with Kobbie – he is improving all the time.
“Our idea is always to keep our best players.
“But we also know that it is a difficult situation for the club, a hard moment.
“But my players are always my favourite players and I always like to keep them – especially the talented ones.”
Yet with part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe having already conducted a swingeing series of cuts throughout the club to save cash, Amorim also knows that if the right offer were to come in for the young England holding midfielder it could be difficult to turn down.
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Chelsea have already been credited with an interest in Mainoo.
Blues owner Todd Boehly has made it his business to snap up the brightest talents in football.
Amorim takes charge of his first FA Cup tie since arriving in England against Arsenal on Sunday and he stresses he has no intention of taking it lightly.
While he will replace No.1 keeper Andre Onana with Altay Bayindir he plans to play a full–strength side at the Emirates.
He declares “There is so much history here with the FA Cup – a tradition here and I want to continue that.”