Manchester United have no plans to green light Kobbie Mainoo's request for a loan move away - maintaining that they value the young midfielder despite his lack of playing time.

Mainoo is yet to play a minute of Premier League football after the opening two games of the season and has told the hierarchy that he'd like to pursue a temporary move away from Old Trafford, especially with the World Cup coming up in the summer.

However the BBC has claimed that those in Manchester have told the 20-year-old they want him to remain where he is to fight for his place. Chelsea have previously been linked with the player, who would represent pure profit due to his academy status.

Mainoo was an unused substitute in the loss to Arsenal and then the draw ay Fulham. Ruben Amorim has instead preferred to use Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro as the two midfielders in his system, leaving Mainoo to watch on from the sidelines. Manuel Ugarte has twice appeared from the bench above of the academy graduate.

He did get his first outing of the season in United's embarrassing Carabao Cup loss at Grimsby in midweek, which will have done little to aid Mainoo's chances of more involvement. The midfielder had enjoyed a rapid rise under Erik ten Hag, but that has stalled since Amorim arrived.

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The Portuguese coach has been happy to speak publicly regarding what he demands from the midfielder. "The same as any player in that position. I expect a lot from Kobbie Mainoo," he said after leaving him out of the draw with Fulham.

"Again, people think that sometimes you need to just give... I think it is important for Kobbie to fight for his place. I believe a lot in Kobbie; more than what everyone thinks. I believe a lot in Kobbie. I expect a lot from him. He is playing in one position and is fighting with Bruno. They can play together."

Mainoo's previous rise was such that he played in the Euro 2024 final for England less than a year after making his United debut. His presence at Old Trafford also helps retain a proud 88 year record of the club always boasting an academy graduate in their matchday squad – a staggering run of 4,324 matches.

Back in April the United boss highlighted the areas where he wanted to see more from Mainoo. "I think that is also a little bit the problem," he said. "When I see Kobbie Mainoo, I see a lot of talent but in the way I see it – I could be wrong, that is for sure – I see some things that Kobbie Mainoo has to improve. The pace during the game, he has qualities we can use, in build-up he needs to improve."

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