Amorim confirms Manchester United's intent to strengthen in the January transfer window! Confirms two players will request transfers! Calls for learning from Casemiro.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim revealed that players who have seen little game time in the season’s first half are expected to ask for transfers in January. He highlighted 20-year-old midfielder Kobe Meno and also indicated that striker Zirkzee might be among those seeking a transfer.

This summer, Manchester United rejected Meno’s last-minute loan request. However, over the past three months, the England international’s only start was in the League Cup against League Two side Grimsby. He has never started in the Premier League and has had limited playing time. Zirkzee is even more frustrated by his lack of opportunities, having only appeared five times as a substitute, totaling less than two full matches on the pitch.

Amorim understands these players won’t settle for bench roles because both aim to represent England or the Netherlands in next summer’s World Cup. If they remain at Manchester United under current conditions, they will almost certainly be left out. Meno’s position has been taken by Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, and Crystal Palace’s Adam Walton is also competing for that spot—both targets of the Red Devils. Meanwhile, Ronald Koeman has made it clear to Zirkzee that without playing time, he won’t be selected for the national team.

Amorim said, “I don’t know what will happen in January; many things are possible, including within our club. As you know, with the World Cup coming next year, some players can’t get enough game time, so they will ask to leave. I have to manage all these matters carefully.”

Manchester United are out of European competitions this season, resulting in fewer matches and limited rotation opportunities. Amorim stated, “We must return to European football. You can imagine, players like Meno need more game time than they currently get. Only participating in Europe would allow me to rotate the squad effectively. With just one match a week, it’s tough to rotate; substitutions during games are my only option. But with multiple matches weekly, I can adjust personnel and manage the team differently.”

Amorim tries to reassure these players and encourages them to learn from Casemiro. Last season, the 33-year-old “Big Tiger” was sidelined at times but has now regained a key starting role. “First, they must understand one thing: every player has a chance to play for Manchester United, but everyone must follow the same rules,” he explained. “Though the ways of showing it may differ, there are fundamental requirements everyone must meet, no matter who you are. To play for United, you must comply.”

Amorim himself is an example. On the anniversary of his Manchester United appointment, he admitted having doubts about his ability to continue. He expressed concerns about leaving Sporting Lisbon for United last November. During tough times, he reflected, “Maybe I shouldn’t have come. Some moments were really hard to bear. Losing so many matches was extremely difficult for me—after all, this is Manchester United!”

The 40-year-old Portuguese coach further shared, “I have always explained to the players that we are not just working for today or this year, but for the upcoming seasons. Thinking this way helps them feel part of the journey, partners moving forward together. I also gave them Casemiro’s example: he wasn’t initially in the starting eleven and began as a substitute, but through hard work, he earned his chances. If you work hard, you will get opportunities. I want them to understand that I strive to treat players fairly, and they can be part of something very important and special.”

Of course, a team only has 11 starting spots, and not everyone can be a Casemiro. Ultimately, at least one of Meno or Zirkzee will likely leave either in January or next summer. Manchester United will bring in more new players. Amorim said, “We want to sign players with a bright future at United, not just to buy for the sake of buying. We already anticipate needing such players by December. The new signings we aim for are those who won’t be frequently replaced for a long time. That’s our vision.”

Regarding whether Manchester United will sign new players in January, especially midfielders, Amorim responded, “I don’t know what the future holds, but we will certainly consider ways to strengthen the squad. The January transfer window will open, and we will have the chance to act.”