With AS Roma looking at a move for Joshua Zirkzee in January, the Dutchman has told the Italian giants his transfer plans following the sacking of Ruben Amorim on Monday morning.
Manchester United parted ways with Portuguese manager Ruben Amorim following a spell of rough form and a heated press conference following United’s 1-1 draw with Leeds at Elland Road.
Amorim made his thoughts explicitly clear as he highlighted that he wanted to be manager of Manchester United rather than just a head coach.
United wasted no time in sacking Amorim the following morning leaving the future of some players up in the air, with question marks over whether they could fit into a new system.
Injuries and absences due to AFCON have opened a spot in the squad up for Joshua Zirkzee, who prior to Amorim’s dismissal, was looking at a return to Italy, with Roma seeming interested.
He has made his intentions clear as the January transfer window has got underway.
Zirkzee still wants Roma move
The 24-year-old striker has found more of a role in the squad following a rocky start to his United career. He signed in the summer of 2024 under Erik ten Hag, offering a different profile to Rasmus Hojlund as his time at Bologna showed his comfort level with the ball, linking up play rather than running in behind.
However, the Dutchman couldn’t reach the heights that he showed in Italy. His recent involvement in the squad has seen him slightly deeper, feeding in the likes of Matheus Cunha, as shown in his instant impact assist against Leeds for United’s equaliser.
Regardless of this, a report from TEAMtalk has revealed that Zirkzee is still favouring a move to Roma as their Hunt for attacking depth continues.
“Roma want to bring in both Zirkzee as a new centre forward and Raspadori to play off the left wing,” they state.
“However, that will not detract from their efforts to also sign Zirkzee and, despite Amorim’s departure and amid claims in the Daily Mail that Zirkzee could be given an Old Trafford lifeline, we’ve been informed that the player’s camp have made it known to Roma that the player still wants to seal a move to the Eternal City.
“As a result, we are told that Roma are expected to make a fresh approach for Zirkzee in the coming days.”
Can United cope without Zirkzee?
With Bryan Mbeumo and Amad both looking to continue progressing in the African Cup of Nations, there is still gaps in this Man United team which have presented opportunity for Zirkzee to have an impact.
The forward secured the crucial equaliser against Crystal Palace and United’s only goal in their 1-1 draw with Wolves. He also provided a crucial assist with his first pass after coming off the bench against Leeds as Cunha found the equaliser.
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Furthermore, the signing of Benjamin Sesko for a fee of up to £73.7m has not been met with immediate success as he is yet to find form as a red.
Despite this, there is doubts over whether Zirkzee can have a long term impact in the squad or if he can find his best self in Italy’s capital, as many former United players have, such as Hojlund and Ballon D’or nominee, Scott McTominay.
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