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Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo (left) has come on in seven of their 11 Premier League games this season Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has not ruled out Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee leaving in January to further their World Cup ambitions - but says the interests of his club will come first. Neither player has started a Premier League game this season. Zirkzee has featured for just 82 minutes in the top flight, while Mainoo has played for 93 minutes since coming on at half-time against Burnley on 30 August. Both players are known to be unhappy about the situation and - having lost their international spots with England and the Netherlands respectively - are keen to secure moves to get regular game time before next summer's tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico. Amorim sympathises with the pair, but says he will only sanction moves if they are right for United. "I was a football player, " he said. "I understand everything, and I want to help my players in every situation. "I understand the frustration of some players, seeing the World Cup is there. I know what it means. "But the first thing is that the club comes first. If I can help the club and the players, I will be happy. If not I have to think about the team. " Both Mainoo and Zirkzee could profit from the injury to striker Benjamin Sesko and the departures of Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo to the Africa Cup of Nations next month. That is without the strange case of Matheus Cunha, who pulled out of a planned appearance to switch on the Altrincham Christmas lights on Saturday with an injury a club source described as "minor". United are on a five -game unbeaten run heading into Monday's game against Everton at Old Trafford. But United's two most recent games were draws at Nottingham Forest and Tottenham that required late equalisers after Amorim's side had squandered first-half leads. For that reason, the former Sporting boss is reluctant to say the "storm" he predicted in his early days at the club has passed. "I don't like to say the storm is over, " he said. "It's my job, especially in our club, to always have that feeling [that a storm is coming]. "It gives me the sense of urgency in every training [session] and, in the Premier League, everything can change so fast because all the teams can win any game. " Latest Manchester United news, analysis and fan views Ask about Man Utd - what do you want to know? A 'special day' for Eze - but can anyone challenge Arsenal for title? Bellingham rescues Real Madrid as they reclaim top spot NFL: Cowboys claim epic comeback win over Eagles - week 12 latest Preview the return of The Night Manager Is cricket financially healthy? Daddy Issues is back for a new series Sir Stephen Fry has remained 'faithful' to Black Berry 'Liverpool in full-blown crisis and Slot under severe pressure' Forest inflict stunning defeat on Liverpool at Anfield. Video Forest inflict stunning defeat on Liverpool at Anfield Cunha misses Christmas switch-on after 'training accident' 'Stubborn, maddening and slow-learning - England's worst defeat in Australia for years' Starc takes catch off own bowling to remove Crawley for another duck. Video Starc takes catch off own bowling to remove Crawley for another duck A look around Barcelona's new-look Nou Camp. Video A look around Barcelona's new-look Nou Camp Who are Premier League kings of the long throw? Head savages England with 69-ball Ashes century. Video Head savages England with 69-ball Ashes century Are you not being entertained? The decline of the open-play goal Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.