United’s 24-yo “baller” tipped to leave Old Trafford to reunite with ex-teammate at European heavyweight – report

The arrival of Benjamin Sesko this summer has raised questions about Joshua Zirkzee’s future at Manchester United. The Slovenian was signed to become the new face of Ruben Amorim’s attack following a dismal 2024/25 campaign, where the team struggled in front of the goal.

Zirkzee, interestingly, joined the Red Devils in the summer of 2024 from Bologna, after an impressive campaign with the Serie A side. The Dutchman registered 12 goals and seven assists from 37 games for the Italian club in the 2023/24 campaign, prompting the Premier League giants to prise him away.

Zirkzee enjoyed a great start to life at the Theatre of Dreams, scoring in his debut against Fulham from the bench. Unfortunately, the 24 year old failed to build on that start and lost prominence as the season progressed.

Zirkzee ended the campaign with just seven goals from 49 games, missing the final two months of the season with a thigh injury.

Rasmus Hojlund moved to Napoli this summer

United were looking for a new No. 9 this summer to sort out their goalscoring conundrum, and secured Sesko’s signature from RB Leipzig last month.

The reshuffling in attack saw Rasmus Hojlund move to Napoli on loan on transfer deadline day, where he joined former teammate Scott McTominay. The Dane has already scored one goal from two games with the Serie A champions.

Zirzkee, meanwhile, ended up staying. Amorim has opted to take things slow so far with the Dutchman, who is returning from injury. While Sesko hasn’t lit up Old Trafford yet, Zirkzee hasn’t done any better either.

The former Bologna man has registered three appearances, all off the bench, managing just 77 minutes of first team football. The Dutchman is likely to struggle for game time this season with Sesko in the squad, and has now been tipped to complete a sensational return to Italy next year.

Zirkzee on borrowed time at Old Trafford

Speaking to Radio Marte, as cited by Area Napoli, journalist Gianluca Gifuni insisted that Zirkzee and Liverpool’s Federico Chiesa will be eyeing a move to Napoli to rejuvenate their career.

“Those who are no longer used in England, like Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United and Federico Chiesa of Liverpool, seeing what Højlund and De Bruyne are doing, are thinking. They’re saying: ‘Now I’m going to Naples and I’ll rise again, like they did.’ Just like McTominay did,” said Gifuni.

“In England, they’re swearing. They say, ‘Damn, when we sell someone to Napoli, he comes in and scores: is the problem ours, or is Napoli a happy place?’ It’s all true, go to X, Instagram, and TikTok, where hundreds of thousands of Manchester United fans are all saying the same thing.”

Zirkzee has displayed flashes of brilliance during his time with United, but will have to be consistent in front of goal if he wishes to stay in Amorim’s plans.

Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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