MANCHESTER, England — Ruben Amorim has indicated that he anticipates some players at Manchester United who are not getting regular playing time may seek to leave the club in January, especially with the upcoming World Cup on the horizon.
Both Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee have had limited opportunities at Old Trafford so far this season.
Lacking regular appearances puts both players at risk of missing out on a spot in next summer’s World Cup with England and Netherlands, respectively.
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United previously rejected a request from Mainoo to leave at the close of the summer transfer window.
Amorim is now bracing for potential transfer requests from both players come January.
“A lot can happen,” Amorim noted regarding the upcoming transfer window.
“In our club, with the World Cup approaching, some players who aren’t getting minutes may request transfers, so I need to manage that.”
Since Amorim’s appointment a year ago, United has invested nearly £250 million ($328 million) in new players.
The club has typically conducted most of its transfer activity during the summer rather than in January.
Amorim insists that United is committed to making long-term recruitment decisions, but he did not dismiss the idea of bolstering the squad in the winter window.
“We aim to bring in players that we believe have a bright future at Manchester United,” he said.
“We are not merely looking for quick fixes; we want players who will be part of the team for the long haul rather than just filling a position for December. This is our strategy.”
“I can’t predict the future, but we are always considering ways to strengthen the team, and with January approaching, opportunities may arise.”