Manchester United chiefs are ‘braced for talks’ with wantaway duo Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee in the build-up to the January window.
Indeed, the out-of-favour Reds are growing increasingly frustrated with their situations and are prepared to push for moves away in the winter in hopes of securing their spots at the 2026 World Cup.
Man United are braced for talks with Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee ahead of the January transfer window, sources have told ESPN ✍️
Both players are concerned about a lack of game time under Ruben Amorim 👀 pic.twitter.com/4BD1ip1L63
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) October 10, 2025
Kobbie Mainoo expected to ask to leave for the second time
United fans will recall that Mainoo requested a late summer departure from Old Trafford in August after he was left on the bench for the first two Premier League fixtures of the term.
However, the club rejected his pleas, instead making it clear that he was expected to stay and fight to reclaim his role – despite directly vying for a starting spot with club captain Bruno Fernandes.
He has since continued to be utilised sparingly by Ruben Amorim, and is still awaiting his first league start of 2025/2026.
The 20-year-old’s lengthiest cameo of the campaign came in the form of a 45-minute stint off the bench when replacing the injured Mason Mount against Burnley on August 30. He featured for just 13 minutes in the win over Sunderland prior to the break.
When Chelsea enquired about Mainoo’s availability last January, they were reportedly quoted a price tag of £70 million.
Joshua Zirkzee eyeing mid-season switch
As for Zirkzee, his case is perhaps even more dire than that of his fellow disgruntled teammate.
The forward, who was signed by Erik ten Hag from Bologna for £36.5m last year, has been an unused substitute for five matches, and has totalled a staggeringly low 74 minutes of action across the three games he’s played – none of which were as a starter.
Zirkzee played just under an hour of United’s win over the Clarets, but only because he was called upon to deputise for Matheus Cunha following his first-half injury.
He subsequently featured for 10 minutes in the Manchester derby and for just five minutes against Brentford.
