RUBEN AMORIM cannot guarantee Kobbie Mainoo will stay at Manchester United this month.
The £60m Chelsea target, 19, could be sacrificed to keep the Red Devils in line with Prem's financial rules.
England midfielder Mainoo is at an impasse over a new contract.
He wants a pay rise and an extension to his £20,000-a-week contract, which expires in 2027.
United boss Amorim said: “Our idea is always to keep our best players, but we also know that it is a difficult situation for the club, a difficult moment.
“I am very happy with Kobbie; he is constantly improving.
“My players are always my favorite players and I always like to keep them, especially the talented ones.”
Alejandro Garnacho, 20, is another United Academy product who could be sold to balance the books.
Prem clubs are only allowed to make losses of £105m over three years and academy products count as pure profit on profit and sustainability balances.
That means selling Mainoo, Garnacho or Marcus Rashford – wanted by AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund – would allow Amorim to fork over the money.
Amorim previously admitted United need to sell before buying players to improve a team that sits 13th in the Prem.
He wants a reunion with Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres.
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Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen and Portuguese left-back Nuno Mendes are also targets.
Rashford has missed the last six games after saying he wanted a new challenge, but Amorim refused to say whether he will be back in the squad for tomorrow's FA Cup tie against Arsenal.
Amorim, who is enjoying the 'history' and 'tradition' of his first cup match in England, said: 'We'll see.
“They are available, they are training.”
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