Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has said that he is desperate to keep Kobbie Mainoo at the club amid the speculation surrounding the midfielder's future.
Mainoo played the full 90 minutes of Man United's EFL Cup defeat to Grimsby Town on Wednesday night, but he has been an unused substitute in their opening two games of the new Premier League campaign.
The 20-year-old allegedly has no interest in leaving the Red Devils on a permanent basis but is keen on a loan move in order to secure regular action this season.
The midfielder will need to play regular football this term to stand a chance of making the England squad for the 2026 World Cup, but Man United have a reduced fixture list this season.
Ruben Amorim's side are absent from Europe, while their EFL Cup exit means that the team will only play Premier League football until January, when they will have an FA Cup fixture.
Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo on May 4, 2025
Amorim wants to keep Mainoo at Man United
Man United have reportedly rejected Mainoo's loan request, with the 20-time English champions expecting him to stay and fight for his spot in the side.
Amorim was asked about the midfielder during his press conference on Friday, and the Portuguese said that he wants the youngster to stay at Old Trafford and battle for selection this season.
**"**Until it is official, I cannot say much. I want Kobbie [Mainoo] to stay. He needs to fight for his place. We need Kobbie. I understand that the players who aren't playing in this moment are disappointed. You have to fight during the week," Amorim told reporters ahead of Saturday's game with Burnley.
Former Man United attacker Lee Sharpe has also told Sports Mole that the club must keep hold of Mainoo.
"100% yes (he must stay at Man United). I like him a lot, he is a top young player. I would play him ahead of Bruno [Fernandes] in that holding midfield position. He is still very young, but great ability. I like Mainoo a lot, I don’t want to see him leave. He should be part of the future of Man United," Sharpe said in an exclusive interview.
Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo in action against Grimsby Town on August 27, 2025
Will Mainoo start against Burnley in the Premier League?
Mainoo is highly unlikely to be in the XI against Burnley at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.
Amorim has used Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes as his midfield two in the early stages of the 2025-26 Premier League campaign, and that is again expected to be the case this weekend.
Manuel Ugarte has also been used ahead of Mainoo in the Premier League this season, so it will be fascinating to see what role the Englishman plays against Burnley.
Mainoo is determined to make it work at Old Trafford when it comes to his long-term future, but discussions over a new contract have stalled, with the Englishman's current deal due to expire in the summer of 2027.
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