Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim keen to avoid losing Kobbie Mainoo to potential suitors

Ruben Amorim insisted he wants to hang on to Kobbie Mainoo amid speculation Manchester United are willing to offload the teenage midfielder this month.

Mainoo still has two-and-a-half years left to run on his contract but United have little wiggle room to buy players in the January transfer window because of profit and sustainability (PSR) regulations.

It has been reported United are prepared to listen to offers for anyone in their squad and, as a homegrown player, the sale of Mainoo, who has been linked with Chelsea, could significantly help the balance sheet.

But while Amorim did not offer any guarantees, the United head coach, whose side take on Arsenal in the FA Cup third round on Sunday, indicated his main focus is on retaining his key figures at Old Trafford.

"My players are always my favourites, I really love my players and I want to keep them, especially the talented ones," Amorim said. "I'm really happy with Kobbie - he is improving.

"Our idea is always to keep the best players. We know the position that the club is in this moment. I'm very happy and I really like our players, especially the guys from the academy."

While 19-year-old Mainoo is growing into an increasingly important figure under Amorim, Marcus Rashford, another academy graduate, has been marginalised since the Portuguese took control of United.

Rashford last month admitted he was ready for a "new challenge" and the latest reports surrounding his future suggest he could be loaned to West Ham for the remainder of the season.

Asked whether Rashford, who was absent for last weekend's 2-2 draw at Liverpool because of illness but is available to face the Gunners, still has a future at United if he is loaned out, Amorim was guarded.

"We will see," Amorim said.