Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has confirmed he wants to keep Kobbie Mainoo amid sudden uncertainty over his future.

Mainoo, 19, is unhappy with United's opening offer for a new contract but his current deal has a maximum expiry date of 2028. United are not looking to push Mainoo, who has been linked with Chelsea, out of the club.

United are more willing to sell academy players as they strive to comply with the Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules. Homegrown sales represent a pure profit and United no longer regard any squad members as untouchable.

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"Yeah, my players are always my favourites," Amorim replied when asked specifically about Mainoo. "So I really love my players, I want to keep my players, especially the talented ones. It’s a special moment in this club, it’s a hard moment, I am really happy with Kobbie, he is improving and also with Garna (Alejandro Garnacho).

"The first thing I think I don’t remember to say clearly that I want new players. What I said is sometimes the profile for this system is different and the players came here with a different idea how to play.

"I don’t remember to say that so clearly that I want new players. What I said is that we need to improve recruitment when we are targeting players, we need to be sure they will cope with the demands, sometimes you have to bet a little bit.

"And what I said also is we have to improve our academy, to bring in young kids that feel the club in the right way and with that rules we are able to do some business and to have money to invest in the team.

"Our idea is always to keep the best players and the players that we build for this club but we know the position the club is in at the moment. We will see.

"But I’m very happy. I really like the players, especially the guys from the academy."

Amorim did not entertain another query about Marcus Rashford's future. Rashford could leave United on loan this month, having outlined his desire for a "new challenge" last month.