‎Ruben Amorim Shuts Down January Transfers at Man United, Leaving Mainoo and Zirkzee Facing Uncertain Futures

‎Ruben Amorim has firmly stated that Manchester United will not sanction any player departures during the January transfer window, effectively closing the door on possible exits for Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee. The announcement comes as United remain within touching distance of the Champions League qualification places, though there is little expectation of fresh reinforcements arriving mid-season to strengthen their push for a top-four finish.

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‎Ruben Amorim confirms Manchester United will make no January transfer moves, blocking potential exits for Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee while focusing on the Premier League run-in.

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‎Setback for Mainoo and Zirkzee

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‎Joshua Zirkzee found the net in the disappointing draw with Wolves but was substituted at half-time, despite his involvement in the equalising goal for the visitors. The Netherlands international has struggled to make the desired impact since completing his £34 million ($45m) transfer from Bologna in the summer of 2024. His form has drawn interest from Roma, but reports suggest the Italian side would only consider a loan move rather than a permanent transfer.

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‎Kobbie Mainoo, meanwhile, is currently sidelined with injury and has yet to start a Premier League match this season. The midfielder has again pushed for a loan move after making a similar request in August. However, with United currently without eight players due to injuries and the Africa Cup of Nations, Amorim is unwilling to thin out an already stretched squad. The manager also gave the impression that incoming transfers are unlikely in the coming weeks.

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‎Amorim Anticipates a Quiet Window

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‎Speaking at a press conference ahead of Sunday’s clash with Leeds, Amorim made his stance clear:

‎“The transfer window is not going to change, we have no conversation to have any change in the squad. There is a process, there is an idea, we are near places of Champions League but we also near eight teams behind us, so let’s focus on the next game.”

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‎When questioned about whether any players had approached him about leaving, Amorim responded:

‎“No, none of them. I don’t expect them to come to me to ask [to leave].”

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‎United ‘Should Have More Points’

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‎Despite Liverpool and Chelsea dropping points in recent weeks, Manchester United have been unable to break into the top five. At the midway stage of the campaign, they sit on 30 points, level with fifth-placed Chelsea and three points behind Liverpool. Amorim acknowledged that, while the situation is respectable, his side should be performing better.

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‎“I think we are playing better, when we have the full squad we are clearly attacking better, we’re not good enough in the details, we should have more points. We always want more,” the coach admitted.

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‎Preparing for a Hostile Trip to Leeds

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‎United travel to Elland Road on Sunday for Amorim’s first encounter with historic rivals Leeds. Despite limited meetings between the clubs in recent decades due to Leeds’ time outside the Premier League, the rivalry remains intense. Amorim is anticipating a charged atmosphere and stressed the importance of readiness, particularly for young players such as Bendito Mantato, Shea Lacey and Jack Fletcher, who have been called upon recently.

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‎“I heard that it’s a big derby, great environment, big rivalry, but every game in Premier League is so tough. It’s one more game, I know it means a lot to the fans but we need to go there and try to win,” Amorim said.

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‎“They have a lot of pace and sometimes we struggle with pace. We prove that we can win any game in any situation in every context. We will try to do that.”

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‎Reflecting on the challenge, he added:

‎“It’s different. I never experienced this one. Different environment, different culture, but the noise is going to be big. It’s hard to compare different cultures, different histories. When you play for Manchester United you need to be ready for everything. You guys have the best league in the world, every game is a lot of draws, you never understand what is going to happen.

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‎“We look to everything, but they [young players] need to be prepared. You can see the squad, it’s impossible to stretch the players we don’t have. I try to put a team ready to cope with that and read the game to help them. They have to be ready. It’s a game in a hostile environment but they need to be ready.”