Amorim expecting Manchester United departures in January

Ruben Amorim has admitted he expects some Manchester United players who are struggling for minutes to consider leaving the club in January as they look to secure places at next summer’s World Cup.

Midfielder Kobbie Mainoo and forward Joshua Zirkzee have both seen limited game time under Amorim this season, leaving their international hopes with England and the Netherlands in jeopardy.

United reportedly rejected a late request from Mainoo to leave during the summer transfer window, but Amorim believes both players could revisit the idea once the window reopens.

“A lot of things can happen,” Amorim said when asked about possible departures in January. “Even in our club, and you know that we have the World Cup, some players are not playing, they will ask to leave, so I have to manage everything.”

Since Amorim took charge a year ago, Manchester United have spent close to £250million on new signings.

The club typically does most of its transfer business in the summer, but the manager hasn’t ruled out making moves mid-season if necessary.

“We want to bring players, everyone here, we want to bring players that we can see a big future in Manchester United,” Amorim explained.

“We are not just buying one guy because now we feel in December that we need this kind of player for now. No, it’s going to be… we want to buy players that we know we are not going to change a lot of times. So that is our idea.

“I don’t know what is going to happen, but of course we think about how we can improve the team, and in January the window is open, we can do something.”