Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has appealed to Kobbie Mainoo to stay put and fight for his place rather than push for a loan exit this season.
The Red Devils welcome Burnley to Old Trafford tomorrow in what will be their final Premier League outing before the international break.
Addressing the media ahead of the clash, Amorim was pressed on Mainoo’s future.
He replied (via ManUtd.com): “Until it’s official, I cannot say much. I want Kobbie to stay. He needs to fight for his place, and we need Kobbie.
“So that is not going to change. The rest I don’t know how it’s going to finish. I understand that the players that are not playing in this moment are disappointed.
“But everyone will have the same opportunity to play. You have to fight during the week.”
Amorim has to play Mainoo more
The 20-year-old has been left warming the bench in United’s opening two Premier League games, a frustration that has only fuelled his desire for regular minutes.
He was handed his first start in the Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby Town on Wednesday evening.
Amorim believes that Mainoo’s skills make him an ideal fit for the number eight position, which is currently occupied by captain Bruno Fernandes.
Casemiro was chosen to partner Fernandes in the league, with Manuel Ugarte coming off the bench for the Brazilian.
Battling for a starting spot against Fernandes is near-impossible.
The Portuguese playmaker is United’s heartbeat, the man without whom their system simply falls apart.
Mainoo expressed his desire to secure a loan move yesterday but United are firmly against it.
With Christian Eriksen gone after his contract expired and Toby Collyer already loaned out, the club refuse to lose another midfielder.
A departure for Mainoo would leave Amorim with just Fernandes, Casemiro and Ugarte as his only senior options to fill two crucial midfield berths.
United are bracing for a lighter fixture list this season after failing to secure European football.
An early (and embarrassing) Carabao Cup exit has left them competing only in the English top flight and the FA Cup.
With so few games on the calendar, Amorim faces an impossible balancing act to keep his squad satisfied.
Every player already has one eye on the World Cup next year, and the hunger for minutes will be fiercer than ever.
Mainoo is one of the brightest gems to emerge from United’s academy, and the prospect of his exit would send shockwaves through the fanbase.
The Old Trafford faithful have stood firmly behind Amorim during these turbulent months, but that patience could evaporate quickly if Mainoo is not given the trust and minutes he deserves.