Joshua Zirkzee is about on leaving Manchester United in January after being ignored of Ruben Amorim’s starting XI against Wolves on Monday night.
The Netherlands international has been one among the victims of United’s lighter fixture schedule this season, making just three appearances off the bench across the opening 11 games of the Premier League campaign.
That peripheral role left Zirkzee considering his future, desperate for first-team football with a spot in Netherlands’ World Cup squad next summer in his sights. England’s Kobbie Mainoo faces an identical dilemma with the midfielder desperate to depart on loan next month.
Injuries to Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha offered him a route back into the team, starting three games in a row against Everton, Crystal Palace and West Ham United. While rusty in the house defeat to Everton, the previous Bologna star got on the rating sheet with a positive finish away to Palace.
But with Cunha fit again on Monday night, Zirkzee lost his place within the starting XI, coming on for the ultimate six minutes.
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Sesko can be considered nearing a return to fitness and is predicted to have a task to play in the approaching games.
While United will probably be down two attacking options in Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo once they jet off for the Africa Cup of Nations, Zirkzee has reportedly reiterated his desire to depart Old Trafford.
Gazzetta dello Sport report his role on the bench at Molineux ‘definitively convinced’ the Dutchman to depart United this winter.
United and Roma have been in touch for various weeks however the Serie A side are actually able to step up negotiations led by Roma’s sporting director Frederic Massara.
Man Utd must persuade Zirkzee to remain this season
There isn’t a hiding the very fact Joshua Zirkzee’s long-term future probably lies away from Old Trafford.
The forward has had flashes of brilliance in United red, serving as a formidable link between the attacking lines along with his wonderful finish against Crystal Palace showing what he’s able to in front of goal.
However the Dutchman is unlikely ever to contribute the numbers needed to turn into a fixture within the team up front. In deeper roles, United have loads of options that mean a bench role is probably going the very best he can hope for.
But there’s little profit in being hasty heading into January. With Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo away at AFCON, there will probably be opportunities.
Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko have already picked up knocks this term – Zirkzee is the one other option to guide the road with Chido Obi seemingly not in Ruben Amorim’s plans for the time being.
It might be a completely selfish decision on United’s part – Zirkzee is in real danger of missing out on the Netherlands squad for next summer’s World Cup unless he starts playing every week. But for their very own prospects this season, he will probably be of use.
Unless United are planning to usher in one other forward option in January, any exit needs to be placed on hold until the summer.
Tony Mogan, live sports editor
The Premier League side are able to let Zirkzee leave on loan until the top of the season with an obligation to make the move everlasting for €35million at the top of the season.
Roma are prepared to satisfy those demands on the condition the duty to purchase is triggered upon qualification for next season’s Champions League – an identical arrangement in place with Napoli and Rasmus Hojlund.
Roma are also keen to get a deal don as quickly as possible.
Napoli meanwhile are hoping to secure the services of Mainoo on loan. The England international has still not began a Premier League game all season and is eager to get playing again to make sure he’s in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup plans.
This week, United legends Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt instructed Mainoo to depart Old Trafford – going so far as to induce him to affix rivals Chelsea.
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