“They’re not going to become available”: United hoping to keep wonderkid duo at Old Trafford despite rising PSR fears – report

Manchester United’s dire PSR situation meant INEOS were forced to put up academy wonderkids Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho for sale in January with the duo attracting significant interest.

Not too long ago, both were considered untouchable but the co-owners have been backed into a corner and are open to drastic actions to steer clear of breaching any financial rules.

While the Argentine signed a brand-new deal last season, the England international and the club are locked in talks over an improved new deal for sometime now.

The midfielder’s wage demands were deemed too high which saw Chelsea enter the race, hoping to sign the Englishman on the cheap.

Academy wonderkids up for sale?

However, the Red Devils slapped a £80 million price tag on the midfield ace and the Blues eventually steered clear of submitting a formal offer.

Reports have continued to swirl stating INEOS are still open to moving on both youngsters in the summer keeping in mind the possibility of earning pure profit.

But journalist Ben Jacobs has now told GIVEMESPORT that the 20-time English league champions would “prefer to keep hold” of the player. In fact, they would also like to keep hold of Garnacho as well despite his glaring recent misses.

“Chelsea like Kobbie Mainoo. They’re aware of his current situation and are opportunistic. So if a situation ever arose where Mainoo doesn’t extend and becomes available at value, then Chelsea would consider that deal.

“But the fact that despite a lot of suggestions around both Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho arose with an open winter window, and yet at the same time no offers presented themselves, shows you that Manchester United prefer to keep hold of both players.

“And it probably tells you that suitors feel at this stage, particularly with Mainoo, they’re not going to become available in the market.”

United hoping to keep both at Old Trafford

Mainoo has had a mixed campaign so far, struggling to fit into Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 system. He has been deployed as a central midfielder, in an advanced midfield role and even as a false nine.

The England star is currently out injured and he might not be back before April. Amorim’s midfield reserves are so depleted that he is considering handing a debut to academy graduate Sekou Kone soon.

As for Mainoo and Garnacho’s future, a lot will depend on how much the club can earn from Rashford’s sale and where they finish in both cup competitions and in the league.

If they qualify for the Champions League, they will have more funds to utilise and the need to sell academy graduates will not be as high. Fans will be hoping for a miracle in Bilbao to avoid losing their brightest talents next summer.

Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social