Amorim says Man Utd keen to keep Mainoo and Garnacho

Despite rumors that the pair could be sold, Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has stated that he wants to keep Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho despite the possibility of selling them.

United are currently 13th in the Premier League, but they have only won four of Amorim’s 12 games in charge.

Profit and sustainability regulations have a bearing on the club’s ability to give the former Sporting Lisbon coach, who took over in November, significant funds to rebuild in the transfer market.

United’s fifth consecutive year in the red, losing $ 39 million in the fiscal year to June 2024.

As academy graduates, any fee received for Mainoo or Garnacho would appear on the books as 100 percent profit.

According to reports this week, United were therefore open to offers for the pair, as well as a number of other recently acquired signings like Matthijs de Ligt, Manuel Ugarte, and Leny Yoro.

“I really love my players. I want to keep my players, especially the talented ones”, Amorim said at his pre-match news conference before Sunday’s FA Cup trip to Arsenal.

“It’s a special moment in this club, it’s a hard moment, but, of course, I’m really happy with Kobbie, he’s improving, and also with Garna”.

Alejandro Garnacho’s bicycle kick against Everton was awarded goal of 2024 by FIFA]Shaun Botterill/Getty Images]

Amorim has previously acknowledged that the recruitment process at United needs to be improved and that the club’s academy must also be improved to save money in the transfer market.

“When we are targeting players, we need to be sure that they will cope with the demands”, he added.

I also mentioned that we need to improve our academy, attract young people who will fill the club effectively, and follow those regulations so that we can conduct business and invest some money in the team.

The best players and the players we build for this club are always our goals, they say.

“We are aware of the club’s current situation, but we will see.” I’m very happy, I like our players, especially the guys from our academy”.

Marcus Rashford, another United academy graduate, does not appear to be leaving Old Trafford until this month.

The 27-year-old reportedly held talks with AC Milan this week, with other European clubs, including Borussia Dortmund, also interested.

Rashford hasn’t played in United’s last six games, and Amorim refused to comment on his potential return to the Emirates.

Despite making errors in the team’s 4-3 League Cup quarterfinal defeat to Tottenham last month, the Portuguese coach did confirm that second-string goalkeeper Altay Bayindir will feature ahead of Andre Onana.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 03: Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on March 03, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) — Kobbie Mainoo, left, and Marcus Rashford, right, both came through Manchester United’s academy and have gone on to play for England]Catherine Ivill/Getty Images]

Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta, manager of Arsenal, says he is impressed by how influential United has become under new manager Ruben Amorim, and anticipates a beautiful match when the two teams square off in the third round of the cup.

In a 2-0 victory over Manchester United last month, Arsenal gave Amorim his first defeat as manager. But United, 13th in the league, have shown sparks of potential in a 2-1 win at Manchester City and last weekend’s 2-2 draw at leaders Liverpool.

Arteta told reporters on Friday, “Look at how they play against the big teams… and what they got.”

“I think every manager, when he gets appointed, it’s for a reason. The reasons can be different. Sometimes it’s just to improve a football team, but occasionally it’s to transform a football team. That’s a totally different dimension of a job”.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 07: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, reacts during the Carabao Cup Semi Final First Leg match between Arsenal and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on January 07, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) — Mikel Arteta has led Arsenal to successive second-placed finishes in the Premier League]Alex Pantling/Getty Images]

FA Cup holders United, however, lost four straight matches before Sunday’s draw, and have failed to keep a clean sheet in the last nine matches, while Arsenal had scored 13 goals in five matches before Tuesday’s 2-0 loss to Newcastle United in the League Cup.

Arteta argued that Amorim would require some time to maximize their potential.

“It’s tough because, obviously, you need time to implement your ideas, especially your way of playing, and explaining that. And when you have that many games, it’s tricky”, he said.

Arteta, however, said United had changed as a team since the two sides last clashed over five weeks ago.

“I’m expecting a few different things”, he added.

“They will bring a lot of supporters,” the player said. “It’s a beautiful game to play against a sizable club.” The ultimate goal is to share something with others and then come back and share it with them.