- Man United boss Ruben Amorim says Kobbie Mainoo isn’t the finished product
- Talks with Mainoo’s representatives over a new deal have reached deadlock
- LISTEN to It’s All Kicking Off! Why Manchester United may have to sell Kobbie Mainoo or Alejandro Garnacho
Ruben Amorim has described Kobbie Mainoo as not the ‘finished product’ as the 19-year-old’s future at Manchester United remains uncertain.
Amorim is a big fan of the England midfielder’s potential but indicated there is a danger of him being over-hyped.
Mainoo, one of the poster boys for United’s famed academy, is under contract until 2027 but talks with his representatives have reached deadlock as they look for £180,000-a-week plus bonuses.
To help with profit and sustainability rules, United are ready to let Marcus Rashford leave in the January transfer window and are also open to selling fellow homegrown players Alejandro Garnacho and Mainoo, who is valued at £65million.
‘I think you guys feel like Kobbie Mainoo is the finished product, he is not,’ warned Amorim.
‘He has so much potential to grow up even more. He is really good but he can be so much better.
Man United boss Ruben Amorim says Kobbie Mainoo, 19, is not the finished product
Amorim believes Mainoo, whose Man United future is uncertain, can improve even further
‘I think he is improving. All the players are improving.’
Amorim takes charge of his first FA Cup tie at Arsenal on Sunday aware of the importance of the competition in United’s history.
He has watched a video of the famous third round in 1990 tie at Nottingham Forest which United won to save Alex Ferguson’s job and change the course of their history.
Erik ten Hag got a temporary stay of execution after winning the FA Cup final against Manchester City last season but lifting the trophy in 2016 didn’t prevent Louis van Gaal from being sacked right away.
‘I know that story of the fans saying ‘Fergie Out’,’ said Amorim. ‘They won the game, reached the final and won the FA Cup. I think it saved his job.
‘Maybe I will need that in the future, I don’t know! It’s about the feeling of winning. That feeling can give you so much confidence. If you win one thing then you believe you can win more. It is addictive.’
United gained a creditable draw at Liverpool last weekend having been beaten in five of their six previous games.
‘To be consistent every day, that is my biggest concern. Not only the big games,’ added the Portuguese manager.
Amorim praised midfielder Manuel Ugarte for the improvements that he has made
‘We need to suffer. We need to run. I saw at Liverpool when the referee finished the game, some of my players went down on the pitch, they were really tired.
‘You don’t see that in all the games, so we have to focus on that detail.’
One player who is in form is midfielder Manuel Ugarte, who also played for Amorim at Sporting Lisbon, moving onto PSG before being reunited with his manager at Old Trafford.
‘I think he has become better with the ball, playing between the lines.’ revealed Amorim.
‘He continues to be an aggressive player but he has improved because he trained with some of the players at PSG.
‘He is from Uruguay, it is his style. He is a good example. He plays in a very important position in the team.’
