Fabrizio Romano has shared that West Ham have a real interest in two Manchester United players, both of whom are hoping to stay in the mix for their national team’s 2026 World Cup plans.
The start of the January transfer window isn’t far off now, though it’s still uncertain whether Manchester United will look to add to their squad once it opens.
Ruben Amorim might be left with a thin squad during that time, as the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is expected to run from December through January.
United are expected to lose Bryan Mbeumo for the duration of the tournament, while Noussair Mazraoui and Amad Diallo could also be away on international duty.
The window could also give some of United’s fringe players a chance to move on and find more regular football elsewhere under Ruben Amorim.
West Ham keeping tabs on Mainoo and Zirkzee, says Fabrizio Romano
Joshua Zirkzee has been linked with a move away from Manchester United ahead of the January window, having slipped down the pecking order this season.
The 24-year-old forward had a disappointing first year at Old Trafford in 2024-25 and hasn’t managed to win back regular minutes since then.
Kobbie Mainoo, like Zirkzee, is another player who’s found it hard to break into Ruben Amorim’s starting line-up in the current campaign.
The 20-year-old midfielder has seen his opportunities limited further by Amorim’s decision to use Bruno Fernandes in a deeper role.
Romano said West Ham have reached out to United about potential loan deals for both players during the January window. “There is also interest from West Ham,” he said.
“West Ham have called to understand the situation of both Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo on loan, of course, for six months to give them the opportunity to play [and] to give them the chance maybe to go to the World Cup.”
Fabrizio Romano on Man Utd’s stance amid Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee’s World Cup ambitions
Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee are both facing uphill battles to get back into the England and Netherlands squads ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Neither player has seen much time on the pitch this season, which could hurt their chances of making the trip to North America for the tournament.
Zirkzee has been linked with several clubs across Europe, while Mainoo has also attracted some interest in recent months.
However, speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said United have yet to open any talks about moves for either player.
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“But at the moment for Man United, they are not open to any negotiation,” he continued. “So, that’s the status of the story. Nothing else is evolving about this.”
Zirkzee has made five appearances across all competitions for United this season and Mainoo has featured eight times for the Red Devils in the 2025-26 campaign.
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