After last season’s dismal record in front of goal, Manchester United’s summer business included signing Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna after the forward’s impressive season in Italy.
And after a match-winning strike on his debut, fans were excited to see how the Netherlands international would get on once he really found his feet at the club.
Since the Fulham goal, the 23-year-old has struggled to put the ball in the back of the net, missing glorious chances galore. His play seems to suggest he excels in link-up play but is not a lethal finisher.
Considering Rasmus Hojlund’s young age and his own travails, Zirkzee’s form has come as a bit of a shock to the system for the Red Devils.
Zirkzee’s future
As has often been the case with United players, the media starts kicking them when they are down, and the former Bayern Munich star has already been linked with a surprise January exit.
The Peoples Person has relayed reports stating that the Dutch star was reportedly not someone Ten Hag wanted to sign while new head coach Ruben Amorim also feels he is not up to the mark.
A sensational swap deal with Viktor Gyokeres coming to Old Trafford with the United No 11 heading to Lisbon has been mooted but TBR Football have poured cold water on these speculations.
They have claimed that Amorim will offer every player a clean slate and a chance to stake their claim and both Zirkzee and United have no interest in ending their partnership so soon.
The consensus at Old Trafford is that Zirkzee is a very talented player and he will eventually come good with his adaptation taking longer than expected.
“TBR Football understands that a number of Italian clubs have registered an interest with Joshua Zirkzee’s representatives, should he be made available this January but they have been told that as it stands he has no plans to to leave Manchester United.
No January exit
“Amorim is set to give all his squad a chance to stake a claim in his plans and that very much includes Zirkzee – who TBR Football is told is confident he is still destined for a successful United career.”
Juventus, currently managed by former Bologna boss Thiago Motta, are interested in a January loan but as things stand, that does not look like materialising.
Interestingly, the report claims that after the next six weeks, Zirkzee’s agent will reassess his client’s situation and a concrete decision will be taken then.
Zirkzee’s last start in a red shirt came back in September with the Dutch forward registering two assists in nine games since.
Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
