Dutch legend Ruud Gullit has urged Joshua Zirkzee to search out a way out of Manchester United before the January transfer window closes.
Zirkzee didn’t start any of United’s first 11 league matches of the season but injuries to Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha opened the door again, starting games against Everton, Crystal Palace and West Ham United.
His return to the starting XI was short-lived nevertheless, failing to start out the last eight games since. The returns of Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo from the Africa Cup of Nations, coupled with United’s exit from FA Cup, mean there will probably be intense competition for places within the 17 games they’ve left this season.
Zirkzee has been keen to go away Old Trafford, desperate for first-team football to make sure he’s in contention for the Netherlands squad heading to the World Cup this summer.
Roma have held talks with the player but director of sport Frederic Massara revealed last week United have called off any proposed deals this month following Ruben Amorim’s departure. Michael Carrick is in charge until the tip of the season with a brand new everlasting boss to reach in the summertime.
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Gullit has long had doubts over Zirkzee’s possibilities of success at Old Trafford and believes he made a mistake moving to Old Trafford when he left Bologna in 2024.
And the Dutch legend believes a move to Serie A to hitch a ‘higher team in Italy’ could still be on the cards, pointing to Scott McTominay’s success at Napoli for instance of what he can achieve in Serie A.
‘I saw that Roma possibly desired to take him and I hope that he’ll leave,’ Gullit told Metro via FootItalia.
‘For me, there was at all times a doubt that it was the appropriate decision to go to Manchester United. I believe he must have stayed in Serie A. He was doing well with Bologna and I believe he must have gone to a greater team in Italy.
‘For him it will have been a lot better. Manchester United should determine what that vibe is there, because something is mistaken there. The energy shouldn’t be good, it doesn’t feel good in any respect.
‘Take a look at Scott McTominay. It’s unbelievable how well McTominay has done since he left Old Trafford. It’s incredible, it’s incredible to observe. At United he was more like a twelfth man, than he was a player and look how he has flourished, just playing every game is so necessary.’
While there have been flashes of brilliance, Zirkzee’s time at United has ultimately been undermined by his poor goal return.
He contributed seven goals and three assists following his £37m from Bologna last season, scoring just twice this term.
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