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Topics: Manchester United, Premier League
Josh Lawless
Two Manchester United players want to leave the club after a lack of minutes this term, it has been reported.
United offloaded a number of players in the summer transfer window, including Andre Onana, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Rasmus Hojlund, Victor Lindelof, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho.
But there could be another pair of departures in the January transfer window, with two members of Ruben Amorim's squad said to be unhappy with their situations at Old Trafford.
Kobbie Mainoo was heavily linked with a move from United in the summer, despite reportedly expressing interest in a loan move away in a meeting with club officials.
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United refused to meet Mainoo's request, with Amorim urging the England international to fight for his place despite admitting he is competing with captain Bruno Fernandes for a spot in his midfield.
However, the 20-year-old has not been unable to force his way into United's starting XI, failing to start a single game in the Premier League and losing his place in the England squad as a result.
He remained on the bench for the first two Premier League games of the season before making five substitute appearances in a row - the longest cameo of which was 45 minutes against Burnley.
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According to fresh reports from Sasha Tavolieri of Sky Sports, Napoli, having expressed an interest in the summer, remain in dialogue with Mainoo's representatives and could make a offer for a loan in the January window.
Similarly, Joshua Zirkzee has found minutes difficult to come this season. Only young defenders Ayden Heaven and Tyler Fredericson have had less game-time than Zirkzee, who has been an unused substitute in four of United's seven Premier League games.
As per the Daily Mail, Zirkzee has been left "deeply frustrated" about falling out of favour - particularly after being left out of Ronald Koeman's latest Netherlands squad as a result.
He is now said to be looking for an exit from United, having attracted interest from Napoli in the summer prior to them securing Hojlund's services on a loan with an obligation to buy.
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Juventus and PSV Eindhoven were also keen.
The news comes amid comments from Sir Jim Ratcliffe that he intends on giving Amorim three years despite the team's difficulties.
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And in new developments, Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, claims that the club are in "advanced stages of completing a deal to sell to a new investor".
Alalshikh, responsible for bringing the biggest sports events to the country, took to X on Wednesday and wrote: "The best news I heard today is that Manchester United is now in an advanced stage of completing a deal to sell to a new investor – I hope he’s better than the previous owners."
His claims come following on from speculation that United could play a mid-season friendly in Saudi as part of Riyadh Season.
Having competed with Sheikh Jassim of Qatar, INEOS chief Ratcliffe completed a deal to acquire a 27.7% stake in United, worth more than £1bn, in February 2024.