Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo are among the Manchester United facing uncertain futures as the January transfer window approaches
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim(Image: Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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Manchester United will face some significant transfer decisions in the January window, with a handful of players dealing with uncertain futures at the club.
The Red Devils had a busy summer with several high-profile arrivals, including Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig, Matheus Cunha from Wolves and Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford. Despite these additions, Ruben Amorim's side have endured a mixed start to the campaign, sitting just outside the top six with seven wins from their 15 Premier League games so far.
Some players have featured more regularly than others, and both Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee were among those tipped to depart in the summer but ultimately stayed put. Now, as the January window approaches, speculation surrounding their futures has resurfaced once again.
The pair are relatively high earners within the squad, with Capology claiming Zirkzee earns in the region of £5.5million per year. Mainoo, meanwhile, is said to earn roughly £1.3million annually.
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Zirkzee is rumoured to be of interest to Serie A giants Roma, a league the Dutchman knows well having joined United from Italian side Bologna in the summer of 2024. According to Sky Sports, Roma would like to sign the forward on loan with an obligation to buy if certain conditions are met.
However, the article also states that Zirkzee himself is determined to stay and fight for his place at Old Trafford. He has made a greater impact in recent weeks, including scoring an equaliser against Crystal Palace at the end of last month before United went on to win the game 2-1.
As for Mainoo, his future appears to be leaning away from the Manchester club and towards a move abroad. The young midfielder had been linked with a switch to Serie A champions Napoli in the summer before the deal was reportedly blocked by United.
The latest update from the Daily Mail says clubs are willing to sign Mainoo on loan in January if United are now open to a deal. The report also adds that Napoli remains the player's preference after his initial request to join them was rejected.
Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United celebrate during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between Manchester United and Rangers FC at Old Trafford on January 23, 2025 in Manchester, England.
Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee could be heading for the exit door(Image: 2025 Marc Atkins - Getty Images)
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It has been claimed the final decision will rest with United's hierarchy, led by chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox. Amorim will also have a say, though the Red Devils are expected to target a replacement if any departure is sanctioned.
The United boss made his stance on January exits clear at the end of last month, noting he will not push either player towards the exit door. Instead, Amorim will make decisions based on what is best for the football club as a whole.
"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," the Portuguese coach explained in a press conference a few weeks ago. "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."
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