Ruben Amorim has urged Kobbie Mainoo to prove his worth as Manchester United faces a dilemma over the teenager’s demand for a £200,000-a-week contract.
Mainoo, currently earning £20,000-a-week, is reportedly seeking a 1,000% pay rise to extend his stay at Old Trafford. Meanwhile, Chelsea are eyeing a potential move for the 19-year-old, especially if United decides to cash in during the January transfer window or next summer.
Despite Amorim’s reluctance to part ways with the talented youngster, he acknowledged the challenge of retaining academy players while complying with Premier League spending rules.
Ahead of United’s FA Cup third-round clash against Arsenal at the Emirates, Amorim delivered a clear message to Mainoo, challenging him to raise his game amidst the contract standoff.
“Kobbie Mainoo has been improving significantly in recent matches,” Amorim said. “But he’s far from the finished product. He has incredible potential to grow further. He’s a fantastic player, but there’s so much more he can achieve. Every player is important to me, regardless of their history with me.”
In preparation for Sunday’s showdown, Amorim has been studying footage from Sir Alex Ferguson’s iconic tenure at United. Reflecting on Ferguson’s pivotal FA Cup third-round victory against Nottingham Forest in 1990, Amorim highlighted the impact it had during a tough period for the legendary manager.
“I know Ferguson’s story,” Amorim remarked. “He saved his job not by winning the Cup but by defeating a strong opponent early on. That win restored confidence and paved the way for their eventual success. It’s a reminder of the importance of resilience.”
As the reigning FA Cup champions under former manager Erik ten Hag, United aims to defend their title in this key clash against Arsenal.
