Ruben Amorim insisted he wants to hang on to Kobbie Mainoo amid speculation Manchester United are willing to offload the teenage midfielder this month.
Mainoo still has two-and-a-half years left to run on his contract but United have little wiggle room to buy players in the January transfer window because of profit and sustainability (PSR) regulations.
It has been reported United are prepared to listen to offers for anyone in their squad and, as a homegrown player, the sale of Mainoo, who has been linked with Chelsea, could significantly help the balance sheet.
Kobbie Mainoo has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford (Peter Byrne/PA)
But while Amorim did not offer any guarantees, the United head coach, whose side take on Arsenal in the FA Cup third round on Sunday, indicated his main focus is on retaining his key figures at Old Trafford.
“My players are always my favourites, I really love my players and I want to keep them, especially the talented ones,” Amorim said. “I’m really happy with Kobbie – he is improving.
“Our idea is always to keep the best players. We know the position that the club is in this moment. I’m very happy and I really like our players, especially the guys from the academy.”
While 19-year-old Mainoo is growing into an increasingly important figure under Amorim, Marcus Rashford, another academy graduate, has been marginalised since the Portuguese took control of United.
Rashford last month admitted he was ready for a “new challenge” and the latest reports surrounding his future suggest he could be loaned to West Ham for the remainder of the season.
Marcus Rashford has been linked with West Ham (Martin Rickett/PA)
Asked whether Rashford, who was absent for last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Liverpool because of illness but is available to face the Gunners, still has a future at United if he is loaned out, Amorim was guarded.
“We will see,” Amorim said. “Let’s focus on the game.”
United arrested a three-game losing run by collecting a point at Anfield but they are still nervously looking over their shoulders in the Premier League, sitting 13th in the table, seven points above the drop zone.
They will briefly put aside their top-flight problems this weekend, although they have been given a stern first outing as defending FA Cup champions with a trip to 14-time winners Arsenal.
“I will choose the best team to win because we want to win the cup,” Amorim, who confirmed Altay Bayindir will feature ahead of regular goalkeeper Andre Onana at the Emirates Stadium, said.
Altay Bayindir will start against Arsenal (Mike Egerton/PA)
“We are in a difficult moment, we are improving. We have won some cups and we want to continue and we know at this stage we have a really strong match that we want to win.”
United go into the clash having lost their last four matches against Arsenal, who eased to a 2-0 win over Amorim’s side last month courtesy of goals from Jurrien Timber and William Saliba.
Amorim highlighted Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard as one of their instrumental performers.
“I think he’s really special,” Amorim added. “His influence on Arsenal is impressive. When he’s playing, Arsenal is a different team but they can win and lose with or without Odegaard.
“I expect a strong team. If Odegaard is in their team, they will be stronger, for sure.”