Ruben Amorim has admitted that Manchester United stars who aren’t getting game time may well demand moves away from Old Trafford in the January transfer window. Joshua Zirkzee stands out as the prime candidate, having failed to secure a single start this campaign and managing only five appearances off the bench. Kobbie Mainoo could also seek a mid-season exit, having slipped down the United pecking order in recent months.
The midfielder sought a loan move last summer and has been restricted to substitute outings in the Premier League this term. Both players have also seen their international prospects diminish this year after losing favour with their national squads. Amorim recognises that with a World Cup on the horizon next year, some players will be desperate to secure transfers in January to guarantee regular football.
“A lot of things can happen,” the United boss revealed when quizzed about the winter transfer window.
“Even in our club, and you know that we have the World Cup, some players are not playing, they will ask to leave, so I have to manage everything.”
The Portuguese tactician also declined to dismiss potential new signings during January.
“We want to bring players, everyone here, we want to bring players that we can see a big future in Manchester United,” he explained.
“We are not just buying one guy, because now we feel in December that we need this kind of player for now.
“We want to buy players that we know we are not going to change a lot of times, so that is our idea.
“I don’t know what is going to happen, but of course we think about how we can improve the team, and in January the window is open, we can do something.”
United secured the services of Ayden Heaven and Patrick Dorgu last winter, marking their first mid-season permanent signings since Amad’s arrival from Atalanta in 2021.
Bruno Fernandes was added to the squad a year earlier, with Alexis Sanchez being the most recent addition prior to him. Juan Mata is another significant January acquisition from 2014.