Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee is seeking a way out of Old Trafford in January in the hopes of rescuing his World Cup hopes.
The Dutchman has been playing for the Red Devils since completing a £36.5 million transfer from Bologna in the summer of 2024.
While he wasn’t able to replicate his goalscoring stats in his first season in England, Mainoo managed to win the respect and appreciation of his manager, Ruben Amorim, as well as the fanbase, albeit after an unsavoury incident that saw him cheered off the pitch by the Old Trafford home supporters in late-December.
Joshua Zirkzee told he must leave Man United to fight for World Cup berth
This season, the 24-year-old has been struggling for playing time following the arrivals of Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha. He has only collected 83 minutes across all competitions, and he has yet to start a match.
Therefore, TBR chief correspondent Graeme Bailey reveals how the striker’s lack of playing time has been hampering his World Cup chances.
The source reveals that the Netherlands manager, Ronald Koeman, has informed Zirkzee about his desire to reinstate him into the squad, but only if he’s able to play a prominent role at club level.
Hence, the former Bayern Munich man has asked Man Utd to grant him leave in January if his situation under Amorim doesn’t change in the coming weeks or months. Interestingly, the club’s officials are seemingly willing to cooperate.
“I am told that Zirkzee has had conversations with United and they are aware of his situation, he wants to go to the World Cup finals, but he won’t given the current status quo,” revealed Bailey.
“That means a move, and that will be worked out before January.”
Zirkzee has admirers in Serie A, especially Roma
Luckily for the striker, he still has a host of suitors on the continent, especially in Serie A, as his exploits with Bologna remain fresh in the mind.
As reported earlier today by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Roma are interested in signing Zirkzee, as their new manager, Gian Piero Gasperini, has been keen to work with the versatile attacker since his time at Atalanta.
It remains to be seen if Man Utd and the player will be able to find the right solution, and if this will prompt a loan move or a permanent departure.
