Man Utd news: Ruben Amorim refuses to guarantee Kobbie Mainoo’s future at Old Trafford
Kobbie Mainoo has been the subject of interest from Chelsea in the last week and Ruben Amorim is not sure whether Manchester United can hold onto their young star.
The 19-year-old broke into the Red Devils’ first-team last season and started in the club’s FA Cup final victory over their local rivals Manchester City.
However, due to profit and sustainability concerns, Mainoo’s future at Man United is in jeopardy with the West London club watching on with a keen eye.
Contracts for Amad Diallo and Harry Maguire were finalised after the start of the January transfer window, but can Amorim keep hold of his key midfielder this window?
Transfer News Blitz writer Harry Whitfield has the latest.
Unfortunate position
A contract stand-off has been brewing over the last few weeks with Mainoo’s camp believed to be wanting a significant pay rise due to his rapid growth at both club and international level.
United secured the futures of Maguire and Diallo this month - whose contracts were set to expire in the summer - with a one-year extension for the central defender and a five-year deal for the Ivorian footballer.
But speaking to the press before Man United’s clash against Arsenal in the FA Cup this weekend, Amorim spoke about the club’s unfortunate position in securing the future of players such as Mainoo.
“Our idea is always to keep the best players and the players we build for this club,” he said.
“But we know the position the club is in at the moment - we will see.
“I really love my players, I want to keep them, especially the talented ones.
“It is a hard moment and I am really happy with Kobbie - he is improving.”
Negative reaction
Amorim has already revealed that the club needs to sell before they can buy players such as Nuno Mendes from PSG.
The Portuguese head coach may look to offload the likes of Casemiro, Antony and Marcus Rashford - whose representatives have been speaking with AC Milan according to the Daily Mail.
Will it be enough to generate the funds to invest in the squad? Who knows.
The main focus will be securing the future of one of their own as the club is well aware of the potential negative reaction if one of their homegrown players were to be sold.
Ever since the 2-1 victory over local rivals Man City in the Premier League, Amorim’s side have gone five games without a win in all competitions - his worst run so far as the United boss.
The FA Cup holders face an Arsenal side who tasted defeat against Newcastle United in the EFL Cup on Tuesday - their first loss in over two months.
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