Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has expressed his desire to keep talented youngsters Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho despite rumours the duo could be sold to ease the club’s financial pressures.

United sit 13th in the Premier League and have won only four of Amorim’s 12 games in charge so far.

The club’s ability to hand the former Sporting Lisbon coach, who took charge in November, significant funds to rebuild in the transfer market is limited by profit and sustainability rules.

United lost £113.2 million ($139 million) in the financial year to June 2024 — their fifth straight year in the red.

As academy graduates, any fee received for Mainoo or Garnacho would appear on the books as 100 per cent profit.

Reports this week said United were therefore open to offers for the pair, as well as a number of other recently acquired signings such as Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte and Matthijs de Ligt.

“I really love my players. I want to keep my players, especially the talented ones,” Amorim said at his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup trip to Arsenal.

“It’s a special moment in this club, it’s a hard moment, but, of course, I’m really happy with Kobbie, he’s improving, and also with Garna.”

Amorim has previously admitted United’s recruitment must be better and he stressed the need to also improve the club’s academy to help save money in the transfer market.

“When we are targeting players, we need to be sure that they will cope with the demands,” he added.

“I also said we have to improve our academy, to bring young kids that fills the club in the right way, and also with that rules, we are able to do some business and have some money to invest in the team.

“Our idea is always to keep the best players and the players that we build for this club.

“We know the position that the club is in at the moment, but we will see. I’m very happy, I like our players, especially the guys from our academy.”

Another United academy graduate — Marcus Rashford — does seem set to leave Old Trafford this month.

The 27-year-old reportedly held talks with AC Milan this week, with other European clubs, including Borussia Dortmund, also interested.

Rashford has not featured in United’s last six games and Amorim refused to be drawn on whether he could return at the Emirates.

The Portuguese coach did confirm that second-string goalkeeper Altay Bayindir will feature ahead of Andre Onana despite his errors in a 4-3 League Cup quarter-final exit to Tottenham last month.

-AFP

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The following is a timeline since the Premier League charged Manchester City with violations of its financial regulations and other clubs, who were deducted points for similar breaches:

Feb. 6, 2023

The Premier League refers Manchester City to an independent commission over more than 100 alleged breaches of finance rules.

City were alleged to have committed multiple financial breaches such as failing to provide accurate financial information, Financial Fair Play breaches, failure to cooperate with investigations, breaching profitability and sustainability regulations and failure to report contracts.

Feb. 10, 2023

City manager Pep Guardiola says the club have already been ‘condemned‘ after being charged by the Premier League.

“It’s the same as what happened after UEFA (charges), these are just charges. With UEFA the club proved it was completely innocent. We are lucky we live in a marvellous country where everyone is innocent until proven guilty,” Guardiola said.

May 24, 2023

Guardiola says he would like the financial charges against the club to be dealt with “as soon as possible” after City secured a fifth league title in six seasons under the Spaniard.

“Let’s go. Don’t wait two years. Why don’t we do it quicker? In 24 hours, sit down with lawyers present. Let’s have it as soon as possible for the benefit of everyone,” he said.

June 19, 2023

City Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said the club were frustrated by the situation, saying it detracted from the achievements of the team after they achieved a treble.

“I hope people focus and judge them (the players) for their football, what they’re achieving on the pitch and what they’re achieving in every competition they’re in,” he said.

Nov. 15, 2023

City say they earned revenues of 712.8 million pounds ($876.17 million) to June 2023 — an increase of 99.8 million (16.3%) over the previous season, along with a record net profit of 80.4 million pounds.

Nov. 17, 2023

Everton become the first Premier League team to be deducted points for breaching Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) when the league docked the Merseyside club 10 points over their finances in the 2020-21 season.

The Commission determined that Everton’s PSR calculation for the relevant period resulted in a loss of 124.5 million pounds — which exceeded the threshold of 105 million pounds permitted under PSRs.

Jan. 15, 2024

Nottingham Forest also face points deductions after being charged by the Premier League for a breach of their PSRs.

Jan. 16, 2024

Premier League CEO Richard Masters tells the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee of the UK Parliament that a hearing date has been set for City’s financial rule breach charges.

“There is a date set for that proceeding. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you when that is but it is progressing,” Masters said.

Feb. 26, 2024

Everton have their points deduction for breaching Premier League financial rules reduced to six points from 10 on appeal.

March 18, 2024

Forest are plunged into the relegation zone after having four points deducted for breaking financial rules in the 2022-23 season. The club had admitted breaching the threshold of 61 million pounds by 34.5 million.

March 21, 2024

Leicester City also face a points deduction after the Premier League refers the 2015-16 champions to an independent commission over alleged breaches of the league’s spending rules.

April 8, 2024

Everton are docked two more points by the Premier League — their second points deduction of the season — after an independent commission found they had breached the league PSRs.

May 7, 2024

Forest are unsuccessful in their appeal to overturn their four-point deduction but the club eventually survives relegation, finishing six points above the drop zone.

May 10, 2024

Everton withdraw their appeal against the two-point deduction after the team secure their top-flight status. They eventually finish 15th in the standings.

Sept. 3, 2024

Leicester City win an appeal against a decision that could have led to a points deduction for an alleged breach of PSRs on the basis that an independent commission ruling on the case did not have jurisdiction.

Leicester’s accounting period ended on June 30, 2023, when the club was no longer a member of the Premier League following relegation to the second tier the previous month.

Sept. 16, 2024

Hearing into City’s alleged violations of the Premier League’s financial regulations begins. Held by an independent commission comprised of three judges, it is estimated to last 10 weeks.

Oct. 7, 2024

In a separate independent hearing, both City and the Premier League claimed victory after an arbitration panel ruled on sponsorship deals, known as Associated Party Transactions (APT), that the club was blocked from completing.

Dec. 6, 2024

Hearing into City’s alleged violations concludes, with a decision expected in early 2025.

-Reuters

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Amad Diallo struck a late equaliser as Manchester United made a mockery of their recent form to hold Premier League leaders Liverpool to a thrilling 2-2 draw at Anfield on Sunday.

It looked as though Ruben Amorim’s United would go home empty-handed despite a vastly-improved display but Diallo swept in a shot in the 80th minute to earn his side a point.

United had gone ahead in the 52nd minute when Lisandro Martinez powered home a ferocious shot from a tight angle.

But an off-key Liverpool responded seven minutes later with Cody Gakpo curling home a stunning equaliser before Mohamed Salah put the hosts ahead from the penalty spot.

After Diallo’s leveller both sides had chances to win in a frantic finale with United’s Harry Maguire spooning a glorious chance over the crossbar with the last kick of the game.

As the fans made for the exits on a freezing afternoon it was United’s who were happiest after watching a display that offered hope of better things to come in 2025.

Liverpool remain in control of the title race with 46 points from 19 games, six ahead of Arsenal with a game in hand as they seek to equal United’s 20 English crowns. United moved up a place to 13th with 23 points.

Based on the current form and confidence levels of the two teams, many of the United fans who made the trip on a grim afternoon might have feared a mauling similar to March 2023 when a rampant Liverpool put seven goals past their arch-rivals.

United had lost five of their last six league games and relegation has even been aired as a possibility.

But Amorim’s side produced a courageous display as they went toe to toe with Liverpool.

Luis Diaz fired over for the hosts early on and Alexis Mac Allister was then denied by United keeper Andre Onana.

Ryan Gravenberch was also a whisker away from giving Liverpool the lead with a shot that skimmed off the saturated surface and flew past the post.

But United were not about to lie down and take their punishment. They breached Liverpool’s high line with ease and on one occasion Diogo Dalot was released down the left and his cross was inviting for Amad Diallo but he mistimed his header.

Rasmus Hojlund should have done better before the break but shot straight at Alisson.

United’s positivity was rewarded soon after the interval as Trent Alexander-Arnold, poor all game, gave the ball away and Bruno Fernandes picked out Martinez to lash an unstoppable shot past Alisson.

Slot’s Liverpool looked disjointed but hit back in stunning fashion as Mac Allister slid a pass to Gakpo down the left and he cut back inside to curl a shot beyond Onana.

The game was then turned on its head as Matthijs de Ligt blocked a header with his arm and after a VAR check referee Michael Oliver pointed to the spot and Salah did the rest, beating Onana who dived the correct way.

United were not finished though and substitute Alejandro Garnacho crossed low for Diallo to stroke home.

-Reuters

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