It looks like Ruben Amorim is making some big calls at Manchester United. England’s Kobbie Mainoo and the Netherlands’ Joshua Zirkzee, two international players, simply aren’t in his long-term plans. This comes from an ESPN report. The Portuguese coach doesn’t see them as part of the team’s future. He wants the club to make some money by selling them off. Italian side Napoli is reportedly very keen on both players.
Both Mainoo and Zirkzee have had their moments on the field recently. But their roles are shrinking fast. Zirkzee, for example, has only managed 82 minutes of play this season. The arrival of Benjamin Sesko really hit his chances. He’s also battling for a spot. Matheus Cunha is clearly ahead of him in the pecking order.
Young Mainoo, just 20 years old, faces a similar problem. He’s only played 203 minutes. Amorim usually plays only two central midfielders. These spots are typically filled by big names like Ugarte, Casemiro, or Bruno Fernandes. This tight setup leaves little room for Mainoo to truly shine. He isn’t getting enough game time.
Even though he’s planning their exits, Amorim isn’t completely ditching them yet, ESPN says. He’ll keep calling them up for matches. If the team faces injuries or needs them, he’s ready to put them on the field. This arrangement should hold at least until the January transfer window opens. That’s when one or both might finally pack their bags for a new club.