Manchester United fans feared the worst as reports of Kobbie Mainoo being potentially open for a sale did the rounds.
Ineos risk backlash from Manchester United supporters if they decide to sell the most talented players coming from the academy.
Kobbie Mainoo is one of the last names United fans would have expected to see listed on the transfer market, but the same headlines suggested that offers would be considered for Alejandro Garnacho too.
A double whammy of that nature would come as a shock, but from a business perspective players produced by the academy are pure profit as seen when Scott McTominay joined Napoli in the summer.
United’s financial situation doesn’t help, but fans can blame the Glazer family for that. They will be quick to blame Sir Jim Ratcliffe if the club starts flogging its best young talent.
Ruben Amorim reacts to Kobbie Mainoo transfer rumours
Reporters were keen to ask Ruben Amorim about Mainoo following a week of speculation.
The United head coach made it clear that he wants to work closer with players from the academy while issuing demands for the club to improve across the board.
Hungry for headlines, a journalist attending the press conference asked Amorim about transfers – incomings and outgoings – before he replied: “The first thing, I think, I don’t remember saying that I clearly want new players.
“Players can come here with a different idea [of] how to play. I don’t remember saying so clearly that I want new players. We need to improve recruitment. We have to improve the academy to bring young kids [through] that feel the club in the right way.
“Our idea is always to keep the best players and the players that we build for this club. But we know the position that this club is in at this moment. I really like our players, especially from our academy.”
Amorim was pressed further on Mainoo’s future before adding: “Yeah, my players are always my favourites and I always want to keep them, especially the talented ones.
“I’m really happy with Kobbie – he’s improving. And also with Garna.”
Despite the constant speculation, Mainoo wants to stay at United.
Manchester United academy must improve
The Reds already have an impressive record when it comes to producing young players.
From the Busby Babes to the Class of 92, United’s academy is among the best in the world.
David Beckham, George Best and Ryan Giggs are just some of the biggest names who have emerged from United’s youth system.
The current squad includes several academy graduates, including Jonny Evans and Toby Collyer.
There will always be ways to improve the academy in one way or another. It bodes well that the manager has an appetite for working with talented young players. That is what we need in a United manager.
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