Manchester United intend to reject any bids to buy Kobbie Mainoo in January because the hierarchy believe the midfielder could have a bright future at the club.
Ruben Amorim is open to the 20-year-old going on loan after not naming him in a Premier League starting XI all season. The view within the hierarchy is that Mainoo’s youth and potential mean his ceiling remains high and that he could convince Amorim – or a future United head coach – he is worth a regular place.
Preparing for Monday’s game against Bournemouth at Old Trafford Amorim said Mainoo could “in the future” be used as a holding player after previously indicating the academy product was vying solely for the No 8 position occupied by the captain, Bruno Fernandes.
United are on the best run of Amorim’s 13-month tenure, with one defeat in nine league matches, a sequence that vindicates his selection and tactics. Sir Jim Ratcliffe said in October that Amorim would be given three years to demonstrate his capabilities.
Amorim has said any out-of-favour player can win a place through performances in training and United do not wish to make a hasty decision to sell Mainoo. Amorim was asked whether he rated Mainoo as a top-class footballer.
“Of course, like everyone else,” he said. “Casemiro is the biggest example [of him changing his mind]. He was behind Toby [Collyer, now on loan at West Brom] and now he’s a star.”
