Joshua Zirkzee wants to remain at Manchester United to compete for a place in the team amid growing interest from Roma.
Sky Sports News reported that the Serie A side are hoping to sign him on loan initially, with the right to buy him if certain conditions are met.
Although United are aware of the interest, they are not thought to be actively considering selling Zirksee when the transfer window opens – and he has made an impact on Ruben Amorim’s side in recent days.
He started against West Ham on 14 December and came on as a substitute in the 4-1 win over Wolves four days later.
Zirksee has started three of Manchester United’s last four games.
Although Matheus Cunha has returned from absence, Amorim is short on forward options given Benjamin Sesco’s recent injury.
United will be without Brian Mbeumo and Amad Diallo next week for the African Cup of Nations, which begins on December 21st. The final will be held on January 18th.
The United forward is under contract at Old Trafford until the summer of 2029, with an option for a further 12 months.
Zirksee has started three games in the Premier League this season and has been named in Amorim’s first eleven in three of United’s last four games. He played a total of 345 minutes and scored one goal.
Should Manchester United consider Zirksee redundant?
Analysis by Laura Hunter of Sky Sports:
A look at Joshua Zirkzee’s performance this season, or indeed since his arrival at Old Trafford in the summer of 2024, suggests that allowing him to leave in January would not be a huge loss for Manchester United.
Clearly, the forward hasn’t done enough to impress Ruben Amorim. United’s meticulous spending of £207 million on three new forwards in the recent transfer window speaks for itself. Zirksee scored a total of eight goals in all competitions during a rather underwhelming 18 months in United colors. Physicality is an issue and it is difficult to be productive under pressure.
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Zirkzee scores from a very poor angle as United equalize against Crystal Palace.
But, and this is important, United cannot afford to spare him at this point. His clever equalizer from a tight angle in last month’s 2-1 win over Crystal Palace offered a glimpse into who he is and why United signed him in the first place. Amorim singled him out for praise after his performance.
And there aren’t many options. The loss of Brian Mbeumo certainly means he will need to stay on beyond January, even if he is only used from the bench. United are not as rich in forwards as many of their closest rivals with Mbeumo gone and Sesco injured, but perhaps that alone is enough of an argument for Zirkzee to stay.
