Manchester United have reached the halfway point of the season in a delicate position. They sit on the precipice of the top four, with some excellent moments like a huge win at Anfield in October, but also some truly dismal performances.
Although Amorim's squad is not overly inflated, there are several players who, for one reason or another, may be nervously looking at the door of Carrington this month. Refining the squad this January may be crucial to United succeeding in the rest of the year, especially if they are replaced with meaningful signings.
Here are five players that may well be offloaded this January.
5 Manchester United players walking thin tightropes into the January transfer window
Joshua Zirkzee
The Dutch striker is the most obvious member of this list. At the beginning of the season, it looked as though Zirkzee might build on some promising performances from his last campaign, especially with the departure of Rasmus Hojlund.
Despite the opportunity, Zirkzee has continued to put in poor performances, and a permanent move away from Old Trafford seems on the cards, even in January. Zirkzee has reportedly been exploring a move since October, and has now been linked with a move to Roma, although only if a replacement can be found in January.
Zirkzee is reportedly seeking more minutes as the 2026 World Cup looms in order to secure himself a spot in the Netherlands squad. However, his sale would lead United without a meaningful back-up striker, so his future remains unclear
Tyrell Malacia
It's easy to forget Tyrell Malacia is still at Manchester United. A late substitute appearance against Newcastle in December was his first appearance in almost a year, and the Dutch left-back has struggled with injuries, including an infamous 16-month absence that was eventually revealed to be a knee injury and surgery complications.
It is about time that United cut their losses here. Even now that he has returned to fitness, it seems that he has no place in Amorim's plans. One can't imagine getting a substantial fee for him, but given he earns a reported £75,000 a week according to Spotrac, shifting his wage bill off the books is reward enough.
Kobbie Mainoo
The relationship between Kobbie Mainoo and Ruben Amorim seems to be at an all-time low. Mainoo is struggling for game time at Old Trafford, and plenty of suitors have been circling, either for a loan move or a permanent one this January.
United would be mad to let Kobbie leave: he's an academy graduate and lifelong fan, and his footballing ability is without question. But with the World Cup occurring this summer, the English midfielder will no doubt want consistent minutes in order to convince Thomas Tuchel he belongs on the plane to America.
Everton, Fulham and Napoli are reportedly competing for his signature for a six-month loan, but it seems as though Amorim wants to keep Mainoo, even if he doesn't fill a starting role.
Manuel Ugarte
Manuel Ugarte held an unfortunate record at the beginning of this season: of the nine games he started for United, United have won a total of zero, and lost eight. United's victory against Newcastle finally broke that streak on Boxing Day, but Ugarte's performances still leave a bad taste in the mouth.
Ugarte seems to be being phased out of the United squad. He is certainly Casemiro's understudy, but the Brazilian has been solid and unmovable in the starting XI. United are also consistently linked to other midfielders, especially Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson, which seems to suggest Ugarte doesn't have a major role in future plans at Old Trafford.
Ugarte has been linked with a move to Galatasaray this January, and although a permanent move is unlikely, he is at least an expendable member of the cast at Manchester United as things stand.
Harry Maguire
The Harry Maguire story at United has been a fascinating one. From star signing, to flop, to scapegoat, to cult hero of the Stretford End.
Maguire has been an intermittent starter under Amorim, and injuries have halted what was a promising run of form in the latter end of 2025. Maguire's biggest issue now is his contract, which expires at the end of the year.
Would Manchester United consider cashing in now, if the right offer came in and Maguire made it clear that he wouldn't resign? That seems likely at this stage. This is simply not how the Harry Maguire story was supposed to end.