Manchester United are reportedly prepared to let four members of Ruben Amorim's squad leave during the January transfer window, according to ESPN. The club will listen to offers for Kobbie Mainoo, Joshua Zirkzee, Manuel Ugarte and Tyrell Malacia as they seek to raise funds for midfield reinforcements.
The report indicates that United need to generate cash to pursue targets in January, but there is a complication: allowing players to leave early could leave Amorim with a depleted squad while the Africa Cup of Nations is ongoing. All four players have struggled for game time this season, with Zirkzee returning to the starting XI only due to injuries, Ugarte starting just three times, Mainoo's sole start coming in a cup defeat, and Malacia yet to feature.
In other news, United will have Bryan Mbeumo, Amad and Noussair Mazraoui available for longer than expected ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations. A new FIFA ruling allows clubs to keep players until December 15, rather than the previously thought earlier deadline. This means the trio will be eligible for the away match against Wolves on December 8, which they were previously scheduled to miss.
However, it remains unclear whether the extension applies to the home game against Bournemouth on December 15. The tournament runs from December 21 to January 18. Amorim commented on the situation: 'We have the rules, when we have to release the players, so we will see. We are doing our job to try and maintain the players a little bit longer, but it is not just in our hands.'
