Rúben Amorim has reportedly become personally involved in helping to block two Manchester United transfers once the January window opens.
Manchester United’s summer transfer window has arguably been the best they have conducted in over a decade, with all four new first-team signings making a huge impact at the club.
United spent an initial £180 million on securing Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Šeško as their front three. At the same time, Senne Lammens joined as the new goalkeeper on deadline day and has made a strong impression so far.
However, some in the squad have suffered due to the lack of European and Carabao Cup football this season, with United having played only three fixtures a month across September and October, and four in August and November.
Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee are the standout names who have not received much football, while others, such as Manuel Ugarte and Ayden Heaven, have seen their minutes limited, too.
Amorim involvement in United’s summer plans
With the January transfer window approaching, multiple reports have indicated that both Zirkzee and Mainoo will request to leave United on loan. However, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Amorim has become personally involved to ensure any departure is blocked.
“The January market is coming. One of the players we have to follow for the January transfer window is Kobbie Mainoo,” Romano said in his latest YouTube video.
“Mainoo and Zirkzee both have this desire to play more, but Manchester United still insist to keep the players at the club. Rúben Amorim is insisting to keep them because there will be many games in the next months. Okay, Man United don’t play European competition, but they are in a very good moment and there will be many games around the end of the year.
“He wants as many players for that part of the year and the second-half of the season. So Amorim still hopes to keep Kobbie Mainoo. There is interest from Napoli after the injury of Kevin de Bruyne.
“There is interest also from West Ham, who have called to understand the situation of both Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo on loan, to give them the opportunity to play and the chance to go to the World Cup. At the moment, they are not open to a negotiation. Nothing else is evolving about this.”
AFCON will give Mainoo exactly what he need to play
Mainoo is yet to start a Premier League match for United this season, with Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, and Ugarte currently ahead of him in the pecking order – though Amorim has made a point of bringing him off the bench whenever possible.
The United manager has been clear that Mainoo is competing directly with Fernandes for a place in midfield, but with Bryan Mbeumo and Amad set to depart in December for the African Cup of Nations, new opportunities could open up for the youngster.
Once Mbeumo vacates the right flank, Fernandes may be pushed further forward to fill that gap, potentially giving the 20-year-old a chance to start alongside Casemiro.
Alternatively, Mainoo could even be used on the right side of attack himself, where his close control and technical quality could prove especially effective when linking up with a forward like Šeško.
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