Ruben Amorim insists Manchester United will 'come first' amidst Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee transfer speculation
Published 24/11/2025 at 08:17 GMT
Ruben Amorim insisted that he will prioritise the needs of Manchester United when deciding on the futures of Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee in the January transfer window. Both players are reportedly keen to move away in search of game time, ahead of next summer's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Amorim was speaking ahead of United's Premier League encounter with Everton.
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Ruben Amorim insisted that he will put Manchester United first when deciding whether to allow the wantaway Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee to leave in the January transfer window.Â
Neither Mainoo nor Zirkzee have started a Premier League game this season, with both widely reported to be open to a January departure.Â
The pair’s desire for game-time will be furthered by their desire to reclaim their spots with their respective national sides ahead of next summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.Â
However, Amorim insisted he would only sanction the pair’s Old Trafford departure should it be in the interest of United.Â
"I was a football player," Amorim said. "I understand everything, and I want to help my players in every situation.
"I understand the frustration of some players, seeing the World Cup is there. I know what it means.
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Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford on October 25, 2025 in Manchester, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
"But the first thing is that the club comes first. If I can help the club and the players, I will be happy. If not, I have to think about the team."
Mainoo has struggled to claim a role in Amorim’s system despite United being light in central midfield.Â
The club have been heavily reliant on 33-year-old Casemiro alongside the more attack-minded Bruno Fernandes, while Manuel Ugarte has struggled to adapt to the demands of the Premier League.Â
"You can sense that a lot of very good players come here, and sometimes they struggle," said Amorim. "[Ugarte] is struggling at the moment.
"But it is our job to try to help our players, and again, everything can change, and you saw it five weeks ago, the environment was completely different.
"So I know that Ugarte is struggling at the moment, and my job is trying to help him feel as a player, like I felt when he was a Sporting player, for example.
"But it is a different world, and he needs to adapt, and he needs to improve, especially in training."
After a dismal start to the campaign, United have gone five games unbeaten to climb to tenth in the Premier League. Moreover, should they beat Everton on Monday evening, Amorim’s men will rise to fifth in the standings.
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However, Amorim has been reluctant to say the "storm" at Old Trafford has passed.
"I don't like to say the storm is over," he said. "It's my job, especially in our club, to always have that feeling [that a storm is coming].
"It gives me the sense of urgency in every training [session] and, in the Premier League, everything can change so fast because all the teams can win any game."
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