Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has issued a clear message to his squad regarding potential January exits, firmly stating that the club's requirements will take precedence over any individual player ambitions.
Club Needs Trump Player Frustration
The likes of young talents Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee have been linked with temporary moves away from Old Trafford in the upcoming transfer window. Both players have been restricted to substitute roles this season, fuelling speculation about their futures.
Mainoo has made seven Premier League appearances this campaign, all from the bench, while Zirkzee has seen all four of his league outings come as a substitute. Amorim acknowledges the players' desire for more minutes, particularly with a World Cup next summer, but insists the team's needs are non-negotiable.
'The first thing is that the club comes first, so we have to think about the club and the team, and then everything can happen,' Amorim stated. 'I was a football player, I understand everything, and I want to help my players in every situation, so I don’t know what is going to happen.'
Squad Management and Academy Opportunities
Amorim elaborated on the delicate balance of managing a large squad, noting it is unworkable to retain players who are unlikely to feature regularly. The situation is highlighted by the club's current attacking options.
With Benjamin Sesko currently injured and Rasmus Hojlund on loan at Napoli, the Red Devils are light in the striker department. However, Amorim believes this presents a prime opportunity for academy prospects to step up, rather than retaining unhappy senior players.
'Our thinking is that we need two strikers. Sometimes I prefer players that make two positions, because sometimes in these clubs it’s hard to make everyone happy,' he explained. 'Imagine that Rasmus is here, and you say: “If Ben has an injury, you have more time to play”. It’s impossible to manage a dressing room like that.'
Chido Obi's Path to the First Team
One such academy player who could benefit is the highly-rated 17-year-old Chido Obi. The Danish teenager made seven Premier League appearances last season but is yet to feature this campaign.
Amorim suggested that Obi's introduction to the first team may have come too soon, but his time could be approaching. 'He played last year, I think it was too soon,' Amorim reflected. 'We didn’t have a team that we can put a young kid with 16 [in], that he will not struggle... It was completely necessary to do that but I think he started too soon, and sometimes it’s hard to deal with that.'
The manager's comments underscore a clear philosophy: while player happiness is valued, the collective success of Manchester United remains the ultimate priority in all transfer and selection decisions.
