Joshua Zirkzee is edging increasingly closer to the exit door at Manchester United if recent reports are to be believed.
Having only arrived at Man United this past summer, the Dutch forward has struggled to adjust to life at Old Trafford, managing to score just one goal in 15 appearances, namely, the winner in his Premier League debut against Fulham.
Unfortunately for Zirkzee, his constant underperformance has not gone unnoticed by new United manager Ruben Amorim, who reportedly views the struggling forward as “not being ‘adequate’” and therefore disposable in the transfer market.
Still, it’s not only figures at the club who may be exploring the player’s potential departure. Last month, The Peoples Person discussed Zirkzee’s apparent feelings of regret over his move to Old Trafford.
This morning, CalcioMercato doubled down on this claim, reporting that Zirkzee is open to a transfer.
“What is certain is that according to sources close to him [Zirkzee] and as reported by Repubblica, the player is open to a change of scenery,” the report read.
“The pressure in Manchester is becoming unbearable for him, who has already been dubbed a dud by his own fans, who have recently questioned his physical form. And Serie A continues to tease him.”
According to the article, Juventus is a likely destination for the youngster, who burst onto the scene following his impressive display at Bologna last season.
“The Zirkzee-Juventus connection is made almost automatic by the presence of Motta, the man who has been able to make the most of his unique characteristics,” the article concluded, with Juventus manager Thiago Motta being touted as the mentor who may be able to unlock Zirkzee’s potential.
Still, Zirkzee’s link to Juventus is nothing new, with a previous report claiming that he could leave for the Serie A club as soon as January.
Another potential deal that has been suggested is a swap deal between United and Sporting, which would see Zirkzee depart in exchange for fellow striker Viktor Gyokeres.
While Zirkzee’s future remains unclear, one thing is certain – his poor form has resulted in a loss of confidence, not only at United but the Netherlands’ national team, with manager Ronald Koeman excluding the 23 year old from his matchday squad for Saturday’s 4-0 win over Hungary.
Whether he decides to leave Old Trafford for new pastures or chooses to fight for his place in Amorim’s squad, Zirkzee will need to act fast in order to reclaim the faith of his managers and salvage his career.
Mathew Cohen
A faithful Manchester United supporter, Mathew has worked as a football writer and analyst for SB Nation, FanSided, and now The Peoples Person. Mathew’s heroes include David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Sir Alex Ferguson, all of whom played their part in creating some special childhood memories.
