Manchester United produced a stunning late comeback to win the Manchester derby on Sunday and Ruben Amorim will be pleased that the result came despite the absence of both his top scorers this season.
Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho were dropped from the matchday squad, which meant the team’s biggest threats on the counter were not available.
But the team displayed patience on the ball and went toe-to-toe with Pep Guardiola’s side, opting to retain control instead of going long all the time and it paid dividends with Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo finding the back of the net.
While the win will have been a huge shot in the arm for both the coach and his team, his strikers are still not firing on all cylinders, something that will be giving the former Sporting Lisbon boss sleepless nights.
Zirkzee’s lack of minutes
Rasmus Hojlund struggled against Manchester City and summer signing Joshua Zirkzee only came on for a late cameo. The Netherlands international must have thought his minutes would increase after his brace against Everton at the start of the month.
However since then, the Dutch star has not started a Premier League game and with the January window fast approaching, his agent Kia Joorabchian is set to meet with the United hierarchy to understand his client’s situation.
It has been far from smooth sailing for the Netherlands international since his summer arrival in Manchester with former boss Erik ten Hag not his biggest fan.
And three goals in 23 games is not the sort of return the Red Devils can afford at this stage of the season as Amorim looks to take the club back to the Champions League places.
As per Tuttosport, long-term admirers Juventus are awaiting the outcome of the meeting and are ready with a loan to buy offer should the Red Devils be open to an exit.
“Like his predecessor Ten Hag, the former Sporting coach also considers the former Bologna player a luxury benchwarmer behind Hojlund.
“This is why in the next few days his agent Kia Joorabchian will speak with the English club to understand plans and strategies in view of the January transfer market.
Juventus waiting for meeting outcome
“At that point all roads would lead straight to a return to Italy. Destination Juventus where Thiago Motta would welcome him back with open arms.
“Without a profitable transfer, the Old Lady cannot go beyond a loan. This is why those at Continassa are waiting for Kia’s moves and in particular those of Amorim.”
United would prefer any major sales to occur in the summer but Amorim will take the final call. It is clear that he needs help up front and if Zirkzee’s sale can guarantee a more prolific striker coming in, this deal could still see the light of day.
Zirkzee’s skillsets are more suited to a team which already has a striker with an eye for goal and with Thiago Motta, his former Bologna boss, at the helm in Turin, a return to Italy would certainly suit him.
Feature image Gabriel Kuchta via Getty Images
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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
