Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee have hardly featured for Man Utd this season and could try to leave in January.
Kobbie Mainoo pictured at Carrington.(Image: 2025 Manchester United FC)
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Ruben Amorim did not rule out green-lighting exits for Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee in the January transfer window, but reiterated that Manchester United will "come first."
Mainoo has played 228 minutes in all competitions and has started just once - in the Carabao Cup. Zirkzee has not been given a single start and has played just 90 minutes across five substitute appearances.
It's understood Mainoo has done everything he can to break into the team, even changing his private chef at home in an attempt to improve his game and working with private coaches during the international breaks, but his situation has not changed with the January window approaching.
Amorim has explained Mainoo is competing with Bruno Fernandes for a start. Mainoo requested to leave on loan in the final week of the summer window and could look to leave again in January.
Zirkzee has been linked with a return to Italy in the winter window. Amorim was asked whether requests to leave from either player would be entertained, and he said: "The first thing is that the club comes first, so we have to think about the club and the team, and then everything can happen.
"I was a football player, I understand everything. And I want to help my players in every situation, so I don't know what is going to happen. I want my players happy, I understand the frustration of some players, seeing that the World Cup is there.
"And I know what it means for the World Cup, but Manchester United comes first, so if I can help the club and the players, I will be happy, if not I have to think about the team."
Amorim discussed whether midfield would be an area to strengthen next summer, saying: "It is hard to say that but I think we can add in the future. I don't know when, different characteristics, the same thing that our thinking in front, sometimes it is not the quality of the players, it is the characteristics of the players and we can improve in some areas in our club.
"But I am happy with the guys that we have in the moment and I think they have so much more to give. So it is my job to think about them, not the other guys that are not here."
United are understood to be planning to sign a midfielder at the end of the season. Casemiro, 33, is out of contract in June and could leave the club, despite his strong performances this term.