Ruben Amorim has given Kobbie Mainoo kiss of death as Man Utd 'accept transfer bid'

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim may have already given Kobbie Mainoo the kiss of death after his now eye-catching comments in January. The 20-year-old midfielder's future at Old Trafford is uncertain amid inconsistent minutes under Amorim, who has placed him behind Bruno Fernandes in his pecking order.

Mainoo has reportedly requested to leave United on loan before Monday's transfer deadline due to concerns about his game time ahead of next summer's World Cup. He was an unused substitute in the opening two Premier League matches against Arsenal and Fulham, with Amorim's 3-4-3 system limited opportunities for central midfielders.

Amorim insists that he rates Mainoo highly and that he features in his plans for the campaign ahead, despite Fernandes' relentless track record when it comes to starting matches.

On Friday, the United boss said: 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."

However, he has said similar in the past about Alejandro Garnacho, a player who will imminently complete a £40million transfer to Premier League rivals Chelsea.

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Garnacho has spent the past few months exiled from Amorim's squad, having been deemed surplus to requirements and an opportunity for United to boost their transfer budget.

That outcome was unpredictable in January when the Portuguese head coach stressed: "I want players like Kobbie and Garnacho."

But Amorim also admitted that United had to improve their academy set-up not just to blood new talent into his squad, but also to generate revenue.

"The focus is that we have to improve our academy, and you have to bring more because that is something that all the clubs in England have to take advantage of," the 40-year-old continued.

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"The players who come from the academy. To play, to feel the shirt, and also to sell, so our focus is to bring more [through]."

With less than two years left to run on Mainoo's contract, a sale next summer would become realistic if Amorim continues to overlook him.

In Garnacho, Amorim has proved that even if he supposedly wants players, he is happy to cash in if there is sufficient interest.

Mainoo's fate could well be the same, much to the disapproval of United supporters.