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Manchester United are already being linked with several potential moves as the January transfer window looms. Despite a less congested fixture list this season, there will be no shortage of work behind the scenes at Old Trafford to ensure the squad is primed to finish in the European places. Ruben Amorim has capitalised on United's lack of midweek cup games , steering his team through a four-match unbeaten streak. However, the reduced number of matches means that some players have had fewer opportunities to stake their claim for a place in the starting line-up. Amorim has conceded that he anticipates some United players will request a transfer away from Old Trafford come January. Among those struggling for game time are Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo . Neither player has started a league match this season and both have been linked with a possible January move . MEN Sport provides an in-depth look at some of the headlines surrounding United. Ruben Amorim has acknowledged Kobbie Mainoo's positive attitude in training. However, the United manager admitted that the 20-year-old midfielder still faces a tough challenge to reclaim his place in the team. Amorim has preferred the midfield duo of Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes this season, limiting Mainoo to just 138 minutes in the Premier League . The United boss pointed out that the club's early exit from the Carabao Cup and absence of European football have not aided Mainoo's situation. The England international had previously expressed a desire to go out on loan during the summer. He was part of the Three Lions squad that made it to the Euro 2024 final, but has yet to make an appearance under Thomas Tuchel. "I see Kobbie Mainoo training today, and he deserves to play, but then I have to take one guy that is playing really well," Amorim told beIN Sports. "We should have played yesterday in the Carabao Cup because I need to see Kobbie Mainoo playing. "I need to see Joshua, all these guys. They deserve to play, but in the end, with one game, you need to make choices. So, we have both sides, but we are taking advantage of the good side of not playing in the middle of the week." Joshua Zirkzee is reportedly on Roma's radar following his struggles to secure a spot in United's first team. The addition of three new forwards over the summer has pushed Zirkzee further down the pecking order , limiting him to just 90 minutes spread over five substitute appearances. The 24-year-old is claimed to have caught the eye of West Ham, but it is suggested that he holds doubts about joining the Hammers. Meanwhile, Sport Witness reports that Roma have proposed a swap deal to United, offering striker Artem Dovbyk in exchange for Zirkzee. However, it is said that United are not keen on signing Dovbyk, who has netted two goals and provided two assists in 13 appearances this season. Despite this, Roma are said to be trying to negotiate a favourable deal for Zirkzee. It is reported that the Italian club would prefer a loan deal for Zirkzee, who was signed from Bologna last summer. Zirkzee's primary goal will be to increase his playing time to secure a spot in the Netherlands squad for this summer's World Cup.
