Manchester United transfer latest as Joshua Zirkzee and Altay Bayindir face potential January transfer window decisions to save World Cup ambitions
Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir celebrates their victory in the shoot-out with winning penalty scorer Joshua Zirkzee during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and United
Manchester United pair Altay Bayindir and Joshua Zirkzee face an uncertain club future that could impact their World Cup ambitions
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Manchester United headed into the international break buoyed by a much-needed win over Sunderland.
The 2-0 victory lifted the Reds into the top half of the Premier League table and eased the pressure on under-fire boss Ruben Amorim after a lacklustre start to the campaign.
There remains work to do for United and Amorim, with a trip to Liverpool when the top flight returns set to offer an acid test.
But the mood in the camp has certainly been lifted on the back of the weekend win as players head away on international football. Yet for a couple of United stars, this week offers a reminder of the uncertain future they face ahead of a potential January transfer decision.
Amorim dropped Altay Bayindir for the win over Sunderland, with replacement Senne Lammens impressing and keeping a clean sheet on debut. The Belgian now looks set to retain his spot as first choice keeper and plunge Bayindir into the wilderness.
The absence of European football and an early exit from the Carabao Cup mean there are far fewer opportunities for rotation at Old Trafford this term and Bayindir could see his match minutes limited.
That may have a knock on effect on his international ambitions with Turkey, who are seeking a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
Bayindir is one of four keepers named in Vincenzo Montella's squad for this month's internationals but the prospect of barely playing for United over the coming months would impact his chances of keeping his spot, or challenging to be the starting stopper in North America next summer.
It's a similar picture for Netherlands forward Joshua Zirkzee, who has yet to start for United in the Premier League this season.
The 24-year-old is behind Benjamin Sesko in the central striking pecking order and has intense competition to play as a number 10. It means Zirkzee could be set for a season on the fringes at Old Trafford and as such the frontman might assess his options come the January transfer window.
Reports have already emerged suggesting the former Bologna striker might look for an exit route when the winter window opens, while Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman has again overlooked the United man for his squad this month, having issued a brutal verdict earlier this year.
Speaking in March, Koeman said: "He wasn’t in the preliminary selection because I don’t think he’s good enough at the moment. In particular, scanning when turning or passing often goes wrong. Yes, in principle, form and fitness are always leading, but that is not always possible.
"We have a lot of central defenders and midfielders, but we are somewhat limited up front. But even then, I still think that you have to earn your selection, and I think he doesn’t deserve that now, but that could be the case again in another period."
That Koeman verdict came amid a campaign where Zirkzee played 53 matches for club and country, the drop in game time since then is unlikely to convince the Dutch chief to change his thinking.
It means Zirkzee, along with Bayindir, face a World Cup dilemma ahead of the January transfer window.