Ruben Amorim has admitted that he understands why the likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee might want to leave Manchester United when the January transfer window opens, but insisted he will always put the direct needs of the club first.
After a breakout season under Erik ten Hag culminated in an FA Cup final goal and a key role in England’s journey to the Euro 2024 final, Mainoo hasn’t had the same impact with Amorim.
The home-grown midfielder was injured for crucial chunk of last season and his eight appearances so far in 2025–26 have amounted to only 228 minutes—he is yet to start in the Premier League. Zirkzee has played even less football—just 90 minutes across four appearances—and both players are vulnerable to missing out on next summer’s World Cup as a result.
Neither player is established enough with their respective national team to warrant selection under current circumstance and both have not been selected within the last 12 months.
When it comes to that frustration and the idea that Mainoo or Zirkzee could be interested in a January move to give themselves a fighting chance of going to the World Cup, Amorim empathised. However, retaining squad depth for Manchester United is most important.
“The first thing is that the club comes first,” he told reporters in the buildup to Monday night’s Premier League clash with Everton.
“We have to think about the club and the team, and [only] then everything can happen. I was a football player, I understand everything, and I want to help my players in every situation.
“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, but Manchester United comes first. If I can help the club and the players, I will be happy, if not I have to think about the team.”
