Manchester United transfer seems more likely after what Ruben Amorim did vs Liverpool FC

Ruben Amorim has insisted he wants all of his players to have a 'good season', but it is far more important for him that Manchester United have a good one instead. Jim Ratcliffe might have publicly backed him with the bold claim he needs three years in the job before he is fairly judged, though it is no secret that he will only get that much time if immediate results and performances improve.

The weekend win over Liverpool was proof that they appear to be on the right track. Amorim did what was best for the team with a tactical masterclass that saw Leny Yoro and Benjamin Sesko dropped in favour of the more pragmatic Harry Maguire and Matheus Cunha. It was not only vindicated by the full-time result but the exceptional individual performances of those brought into the starting line up.

There is now even greater excitement for what this United side might be capable of once Amorim has specialist players in central midfield and wing-back, though for all the promise of potential signings, the line up might also have made one transfer exit more likely next year.

Speaking ahead of the Anfield win, Amorim insisted it was 'normal' for reports linking Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee with potential exits to surface during the international break, particularly with a World Cup at the end of the season. Roy Keane brutally stated Mainoo hadn't performed well enough to start matches anyway, though he was introduced for the final stages against Liverpool, while Zirkzee remained an unused substitute again.

It seems unlikely Mainoo will be allowed to leave in the January transfer window when there are so few options in central midfield, though an exit for Zirkzee appears more likely than ever. The 24-year-old has played the third-fewest minutes of any United player this season, only ahead of Ayden Heaven and Tyler Fredricson, and less than Andre Onana. He has only played 15 minutes since August.

Amorim might insist every player will get their chance, yet even with Sesko out of the starting line up, it is unlikely Zirkzee will be given a chance instead. United adopted a fluid front three at Anfield and this is the more likely plan B for the remainder of the season when they are without their star striker signing.

The United head coach does not believe Zirkzee is a 'clear number nine' and thinks he lacks the strength to lead the line in his tactical approach. It means the Dutch forward is only going to get a chance as an attacking midfielder, where he is behind Bryan Mbeumo, Mason Mount and Cunha in the pecking order, while Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo might be preferred options in that position as well.

It means that although United might not have an abundance of options in central attack, they do in attacking midfield and it is hard to envisage any situation in which Amorim would turn to Zirkzee over another forward across the new few months.

If the back-up striker is not even in their back-up plan, a January exit will be back on the agenda again.