Ruben Amorim has decided to maneuver on from Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee after he asked to depart Old Trafford.
United spent £36.5m to sign Zirzkee from Bologna in the summertime of 2024 after the Dutchman enjoyed a productive season in Serie A.
Zirkzee hit double figures in his first full season within the Italian top-flight but got nowhere near that number in his first campaign within the Premier League, contributing just three goals.
The 24-year-old did fare higher in Europe, helping United reach the Europa League final, but it surely was still a hugely underwhelming season for the Netherlands international.
Zirzkee attracted much criticism during a difficult campaign, with some pundits immediately writing him off as a transfer flop and Jamie O’Hara claiming he’s ‘one among the worst players to ever play’ for Manchester United.
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Erik ten Hag’s signing missed the top of last season through injury and has struggled for minutes since his return to fitness, with Zirkzee yet to start out a game this season and all 4 of his appearances coming off the bench.
Zirkzee’s prospects at Old Trafford already looked bleak but United bolstered Amorim’s attacking options with the signings of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo over the summer.
It was reported last week that Zirzkee was able to push for a move away from United and had attracted interest from multiple Italian clubs.
Roma and Napoli were said to be admirers of the Dutch forward despite his difficult spell in Manchester, while Premier League rivals West Ham have also been linked with a move.
In line with the Day by day Mirror, Zirzkee is preparing at hand in a transfer request ahead of the January transfer window as he believes a move could be in the perfect interest of all parties.
Ruben Amorim addresses Joshua Zirkzee rumours
Asked if he understands the frustrations of Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee ahead of Manchester United’s clash against Liverpool, Amorim said: ‘That’s normal.
‘I also know that in our club, every thing is quite a lot of noise, and you’ve gotten to have news, and players are usually not playing. They need to play.
‘Such as you said, there’s a World Cup. There are agents that take heed to the players talking on a regular basis.
‘So, I understand that but they’re our players, and we’d like everyone to have a superb season.’
Zirzkee is keen to get more regular minutes as he still has aspirations of constructing the Netherlands’ World Cup squad.
Amorim recently dismissed speculation over Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo’s future however the Mirror say he has privately decided to dump the previous.
It is usually claimed that Amorim’s bosses at Manchester United are able to take heed to offers for Zirkzee, with a everlasting or loan move each possible.
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Zirzkee is believed to be keen to remain within the Premier League – making a move to West Ham a definite possibility – but can also be open to a move abroad if the best opportuity presents itself.
Manchester United’s No. 11 was an unused substitute at Liverpool last weekend as Amorim clinched the club’s first win at Anfield since 2016.
Cody Gakpo cancelled out Mbeumo’s early opener before Harry Maguire headed home United’s winner from Bruno Fernandes’ inventive cross.
Following a previous win over Sunderland, it was the primary Manchester United have recorded back-to-back Premier League wins since Amorim’s appointment last November.
United, currently ninth within the Premier League, will look to make it three wins from three on Saturday when Brighton travel to Old Trafford.
Manchester United lost each of their games against Brighton last season and were beaten 3-1 on this fixture back in January.
Given the congested nature of the league, a win could take United into the top-four, while a defeat will see Amorim’s side drop back into the bottom-half of the table.
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