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Ruben Amorim says he does not want Kobbie Mainoo to leave Manchester United.
The head coach was speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow’s must-win Premier League match against Burnley at Old Trafford.
There were plenty of tricky questions for the boss to field, having seen his side knocked out of the League Cup by League Two side Grimsby Town on Wednesday.
The first question was about his reactions following Wednesday’s defeat, when he implied he might resign.
“To be really honest with you, guys, every time we have one defeat like that, I am going to be like that,” he said. “Sometimes I am going to say I hate my players, sometimes I am going to say I love my players. That is my way of doing things.
“In that moment, I was really upset and really disappointed because I thought we had a really good pre-season. We were being consistent in the way we played. Now it’s a new game and I am focused on the game.
“I need to live this day-by-day. I am understanding that.
“If you are in one way, if you have this kind of behaviour, you have to understand that sometimes you have good things and the other side of the coin. Sometimes I want to quit, sometimes I want to be here for 20 years.”
Asked what had upset him most about the defeat, he said:
“I think that is the hardest part of the defeat; sometimes it is not the result, it is the way we lost that game or drew that game. It is the small things: fighting for the ball, running.”
Another important one was about the speculation concerning Mainoo’s future.
“I want Kobbie to stay,” he said. “He needs to fight for his place, and we need Kobbie. So that is not going to change.
“I understand that the players who aren’t playing in this moment are disappointed. You have to fight during the week.”
More to follow …
_Featured image Patrick McDermott via Getty Images_
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