Manchester United are putting plans in place ahead of the January transfer window as the club prepare to host West Ham United
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim and Manchester United face several decisions in the January transfer window
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Manchester United are preparing to face West Ham on Thursday as the Red Devils target another unbeaten run. Ruben Amorim’s side produced an impressive second-half display to earn a 2-1 away win over Crystal Palace at the weekend.
It was the ideal response from United following their disappointing home defeat to 10-man Everton last week. That loss ended the team’s five-game unbeaten streak but Amorim’s side were able to swiftly return to winning ways at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
Man Utd open to offers for four stars
Manchester United are reportedly prepared to offload four members of Ruben Amorim’s squad during the January transfer window. ESPN has claimed that the Red Devils will listen to offers for Kobbie Mainoo, Joshua Zirkzee, Manuel Ugarte and Tyrell Malacia.
The report states that United will need to raise funds to pursue midfield targets in January. However, there is an added complication, as allowing players to leave early in the window could leave Amorim with a depleted squad while the Africa Cup of Nations is still ongoing.
All of the aforementioned United players have struggled for game time so far this season. Zirkzee has returned to the starting XI due to injuries to other forwards, while Ugarte has started on just three occasions.
England international Mainoo’s sole start came in the cup defeat to Grimsby and he has consistently been linked with a move away from Old Trafford. Meanwhile, Malacia is yet to feature this season.
Kobbie Mainoo of MAnchester United
Kobbie Mainoo has struggled for game time this season
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Bryan Mbeumo boost
Manchester United will have Bryan Mbeumo, Amad and Noussair Mazraoui available for longer than expected ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations. The trio are set to represent their respective nations at the tournament, which begins on December 21, but a new FIFA ruling has allowed clubs to keep their players until December 15.
The deadline had previously been thought to be a week earlier. The ruling means Mbeumo, Amad and Mazraoui will now be eligible to face Wolves away on Monday, December 8, a game they were previously scheduled to miss.
Bryan Mbeumo of Manchester United
Bryan Mbeumo is one of three United players who will be competing in AFCON
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However, it remains unclear whether the extension will apply to United’s home game against Bournemouth on December 15. Mbeumo will be at AFCON with Cameroon, while Amad will represent Ivory Coast. Mazraoui will also hope to guide Morocco to victory. The tournament is scheduled to run until January 18.
Before the ruling, Amorim shared his thoughts on the situation: “We have the rules, when we have to release the players, so we will see. We are doing our job to try and maintain the players a little bit longer, but it is not just in our hands. We need to respect that, but we will try to do everything to protect the club, protect the players and protect the national team."
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