Joshua Zirkzee is reportedly not keen on signing for two Premier League clubs after he was dropped from the squad against Wolves last week.
Joshua Zirkzee’s time at Manchester United has not gone as anyone would have hoped. Brought in to provide competition for Rasmus Højlund, the 24-year-old scored on his debut, but went on to have a poor first six months of his career at Old Trafford.
However, once Rúben Amorim arrived, he picked up form, scoring some crucial goals in the Europa League, although a hamstring injury in April ruled him out for pretty much the rest of the season, with the striker only able to reappear in the final moment of the Europa League final loss vs Tottenham.
In the summer, United signed Benjamin Šeško as their new first-choice striker and sent Højlund on loan to Napoli, but further arrivals of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha on the flanks left Zirkzee with nowhere to start.
Injuries then allowed him to play a few games late, and he scored a lovely goal against Crystal Palace earlier in the month, but overall, his long-term future at the club still feels fairly non-existent.
Zirkzee unimpressed with Premier League interest
Zirkzee is aiming to play at the 2026 World Cup with the Netherlands, so he is desperate to play consistent minutes and prove himself. Although some reports suggest his preference is to stay at United, those in Italy claim the story is a little more complex.
According to Il Messaggero, Zirkzee has caught the attention of Premier League sides Leeds United and West Ham United, although he is not impressed by either.
It’s detailed that, amid interest from AS Roma, the Dutchman has his heart set on a move to Rome, although AC Milan, who competed with United for his signature in 2024, have re-entered the conversation.
Roma are reportedly keen to secure a loan agreement with a conditional obligation to buy the player, which would be triggered if they qualify for the Champions League.
Roma sit fourth in the league table, which would grant them qualification, although they sit just one point above Juventus in fifth.
United need more powerful options than Zirkzee
While Zirkzee is undoubtedly a great footballer with a solid technical base, his lack of a physical presence hinders him in the Premier League.
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The Bayern Munich Academy graduate often looks as if he is not quite coping with the physical presence of Premier League defenders, as his recent fixture against Everton showed.
Despite the Toffies being a man down at Old Trafford, Zirkzee failed to overpower and provide too much of a significant threat in the air or on the ground at Jordan Pickford’s goal, whereas someone such as Šeško would have.
The latter is expected to rejoin the first-team squad once he revoers from food poisoning, and may be able to make the team as they face Bournemouth on Monday evening.
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