‎'We Are Short': Ruben Amorim Admits January Transfer Limits as Mainoo and Zirkzee Consider Man Utd Exits

‎Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has acknowledged that the club’s options are stretched heading into the January transfer window, insisting players will only be allowed to depart if suitable replacements are secured. The Portuguese coach delivered the update ahead of the winter market opening on New Year’s Day, with Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee both reportedly open to leaving Old Trafford in search of increased game time.

‎

‎Ruben Amorim confirms Manchester United will only sanction January exits if replacements arrive, with Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee seeking more minutes amid injuries and AFCON absences.

‎Getty Images Sport (2)

‎

‎According to a BBC report, Mainoo and Zirkzee are keen to explore moves once the transfer window opens on 1 January, as both look to boost their first-team involvement. England international Mainoo has yet to start a match for United in the 2025–26 season, having made 11 appearances exclusively from the bench.

‎

‎The 20-year-old midfielder was close to sealing a season-long loan switch to Napoli, managed by Antonio Conte, during the summer. However, Manchester United ultimately blocked the move on deadline day in September.

‎

‎Zirkzee, meanwhile, is also said to be drawing interest from clubs in Italy. The Netherlands international has featured just 10 times for United this season, with only three of those outings coming as a starter. The 24-year-old previously spent two seasons with Serie A side Bologna between 2022 and 2024 before completing a £36.5 million (€42m/$49m) transfer to England.

‎

‎Despite the reported interest, Amorim has made it clear that neither Mainoo nor Zirkzee will be permitted to leave unless the club can first bring in replacements. United’s squad has been further depleted by international commitments, with Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo all away at the Africa Cup of Nations representing Morocco, Ivory Coast and Cameroon respectively. The tournament runs until Sunday, 18 January.

‎

‎In addition, captain Bruno Fernandes is expected to be sidelined for around a month after suffering a hamstring injury in last weekend’s 2-1 Premier League defeat to Aston Villa. As a result, Amorim believes his side are already lacking numbers ahead of January.

‎

‎“It’s going to be hard for someone to leave the club if we don’t get a substitution,” Amorim said. “We are short. Even with the full squad we are short for something that can happen.

‎

‎“We are a club with a big responsibility. We are dealing with all these issues and in my head, in everybody’s head, we need to win every game. It doesn’t matter. There are no excuses.”

‎

‎Earlier this month, Amorim reiterated that Manchester United are open to reinforcing the squad in January, but only if the right long-term options become available. The former Sporting CP boss has repeatedly stressed the importance of avoiding panic buys during the winter window, describing it as a mistake the club has made previously.

‎

‎“We can improve, we have space to have more players, but we have a plan,” Amorim explained to Sky Sports. “We need to bring in players that we know. Obviously, it is hard to be sure everything will work, but we need certainty with the players we sign.

‎

‎“If we are not sure, if everyone is not aligned, it is better not to bring anyone in and to work with the players we already have. That is clear for me. The board thinks that too.

‎

‎“We cannot repeat the mistakes of the past. We need to get through these moments because we have players returning from internationals and injury.”

‎

‎Amorim is approaching the completion of his first full year in charge of Manchester United as the club closes out 2025 with Premier League fixtures against Newcastle United on Boxing Day and Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday, 30 December.

‎

‎The 40-year-old was appointed as Erik ten Hag’s successor on 1 November 2024 and guided United to a 15th-place finish last season, their lowest league position since the 1989–90 campaign. However, performances have improved this term, with United currently sitting seventh in the table, just three points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea.