Ruben Amorim gives unhappy Man Utd duo blunt reality check with January transfer hint

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Ruben Amorim has admitted that wantaway stars Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee could depart in January, but not at the expense of Manchester United . The Red Devils boss is adamant the club can not lose out simply to satisfy players.

Neither Mainoo or Zirkzee have started a Premier League match this season. The latter has racked up just 82 minutes in the division , while academy product Mainoo has recorded 93 minutes since coming on against Burnley in August.

Both will be keen to have more playing time to stand a chance of representing their nations in the World Cup next summer. They will need more time on the pitch to earn a call-up for the Netherlands and England for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

United are set to lose Bryan Mbeumo, Amad and Noussair Mazraoui during the Africa Cup of Nations . With injuries to forwards Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha , Amorim does not want to be caught short.

The Portuguese coach could take United into fourth place with a big enough win over Everton on Monday. A dramatic improvement upon the club's 15th-place finish last term.

Amorim understands why his players may be discontent, but is unwilling to sacrifice United's progress.

"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."

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Despite being on a five-game unbeaten run, Amorim is wary that his side's progress is in a precarious position. United squandered leads against Nottingham Forest and Tottenham before the international break.

The 40-year-old wants all of his tools at his disposal to avoid moving off track. "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."

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