Manchester United is preparing for crucial conversations with Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee ahead of the January transfer market, according to sources close to the club.
Both players express concern about the lack of playing time under coach Ruben Amorim.
Mainoo, who requested to leave on loan at the end of the summer transfer window, saw his request rejected by the club.
The 20-year-old has yet to start a Premier League match this season.
Zirkzee hasn’t started a league match either and has only accumulated 74 minutes in three appearances. Mainoo, on the other hand, has 113 minutes in five appearances.
After not being called up for the England selection in September and October, Mainoo, who started in his country’s defeat in the Euro 2024 final against Spain, fears that time is running out for him to be in Thomas Tuchel’s plans for the World Cup.Kobbie Mainoo y Joshua Zikzee (en la foto la temporada pasada) han tenido dificultades para conseguir minutos en las primeras semanas de la nueva campaña.Zirkzee is also aware that he needs to play more regularly to have a chance of being called up by the Netherlands national team for the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, which begins in June.
Sources indicate that Napoli, who showed interest in Mainoo in August, could be an option if the player leaves. There is also interest from the Premier League and the Bundesliga.
Zirkzee has been linked with a possible return to Serie A.
However, any agreement for Mainoo or Zirkzee would require Manchester United’s approval.
Sources close to the club indicate that, although both players have had difficulties establishing themselves in Amorim’s starting eleven, they remain key members in each call-up.
Conversations are expected to take place before the January market if their prospects of getting regular playing minutes do not improve.
An addition to Mainoo’s situation is that a youth record of more than 87 years hangs by a thread.
The United have had a player from their academy in every squad since October 1937.
In the last match against Sunderland, Mainoo was the only player who met the requirements and his possible departure could jeopardize the end of this streak.
We want to keep it. The past of Manchester United is built on young people. I don’t want to be the guy who breaks that.
