Ruben Amorim has warned that Manchester United will not allow players to leave during the January transfer window unless replacements are brought in, admitting the squad is already stretched to its limits.
BBC Sport reports that questions remain over the futures of Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee, with both players pushing for more minutes in the second half of the season.
Mainoo is considering a loan move once he returns to full fitness, while Zirkzee has attracted interest from Italy after limited opportunities at Old Trafford.
Amorim insists departures without reinforcements would put the team at risk.
“If we don’t sign someone, it’s very hard for anyone to leave,” he said. “We don’t have enough players. Even with everyone fit, we are still vulnerable.”
United’s squad issues have been exposed ahead of their Boxing Day clash with Newcastle, as seven senior players are unavailable. Mainoo remains sidelined with a calf problem, while Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire are also ruled out.
Although Bruno Fernandes and Bryan Mbeumo are close to returning, and Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui are expected back after Africa Cup of Nations duty, Amorim believes the numbers are still not good enough.
“We are a club that must win every game,” the Portuguese coach added. “There are no excuses.”
Amorim remains firm that weakening the squad in January, without proper cover, would leave United unable to cope with injuries and the demands of top-level competition.
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