Ruben Amorim insists Manchester United will work to keep hold of their "best players" after academy products Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho were linked with exits.

Earlier this week, reports suggested United may have to sell players in order to comply with the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules.

Mainoo and Garnacho were two players touted for a possible sale, with United able to book any transfer fee received for their youth graduates as pure profit.

Mainoo is under contract until 2027 and in September, former boss Erik ten Hag revealed talks were set to begin regarding a possible extension. Garnacho, meanwhile, is under contract until 2028.

Chelsea were immediately linked with a big-money move for Mainoo, while reports have suggested Garnacho may be open to rejoining Atletico Madrid – who he left as a 16-year-old to enter United's youth system.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Sunday's FA Cup tie against Arsenal, Amorim said: "We need to improve recruitment so that when we are targeting players we are sure they can cope with the demands.

"Also, we have to improve our academy. Young kids that feel the club in the right way and do some business to have money to invest in the team.

"Our idea is always to keep the best players and to build for this club, but I am really happy and like our players, especially the guys from the academy.

"I really love my players. I want to keep them, especially the talented ones. It is a hard moment, and I am really happy with Kobbie. He is improving."

Garnacho has appeared in 11 of United's 12 games under Amorim in all competitions, though he has only made four starts and racked up 437 minutes in total.

Mainoo, meanwhile, has played eight games – starting five – and has played 562 minutes, coming to form a midfield partnership with Manuel Ugarte.

Standing on business #MUFC || #PL pic.twitter.com/TbNIpqmxgR

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 7, 2025

Another player who has been linked with an exit is Marcus Rashford, who is reportedly interesting AC Milan after saying he was ready for a "new challenge" away from Old Trafford.

On Rashford's future, Amorim said: "We will see. Let’s focus on the game. They are training, and we will see the selection for the game."

United have only won four of their 12 games under Amorim, drawing two and losing six, though they did show signs of progression in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield.

"In this moment, I am living day by day," Amorim said. "What I am thinking is we have one week without any game, we had a day off, and we could work with the team a bit.

"We have to play the best team and win and follow the last performance. I am not thinking in that way because we are in a difficult moment. My focus is more in our week. 

"In the cu,p you never know. Sometimes it is better to win this kind of game, and then you have less time to rest. We just want to win this game, and then we will think about the next one."