Rúben Amorim responds to Joshua Zirkzee transfer interest amid “confident” Manchester United claim

Rúben Amorim has seemingly responded to reports stating that Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee is attracting interest from the Serie A.

Joshua Zirkzee has not had an ideal start to life at Manchester United since he signed from Serie A side Bologna for £36 million in the summer.

Zirkzee was brought in to give competition to Rasmus Højlund within former manager Erik ten Hag‘s squad, but since his debut goal against Fulham, the Netherlands international has failed to put the ball in the back of the net.

Read More: Ruben Amorim first Man Utd transfer move has been revealed, Liverpool interest forcing his hand

As a striker who often likes to drop deep and become involved in play rather than stick to the centre-backs, Zirkzee offers a very different profile to Old Trafford, but it has not worked.

In his 17 appearances so far, he has managed just one goal and two assists and reports state that he is attracting interest in the January transfer window.

Amorim responds to links

According to TBRfootball, Zirkzee is gathering interest from a number of Italian clubs, including Juventus, now managed by his former Bologna boss Thiago Motta, with rumours of a January exit circulating.

However, Amorim has seemingly responded to this news, with TBR explaining that the 39-year-old is determined to give Zirkzee a fair chance. This is a plan he has for his whole squad.

The report states that Zirkzee is “confident” that he can become a success at Manchester United despite his less-than-fruitful start to life at the club.

Juventus and other admirers are said to have made it clear that they would be interested in a possible loan for the 23-year-old, but as it stands, this is not on the cards.

Van Nistelrooy’s view

Speaking last week, former United coach and interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy backed Zirkzee, who has been under fire from critics over the previous three months.

It is a fate that new signing Manuel Ugarte had initially endured during his opening months at the club, although he has since risen to expectations and performed well in midfield.

“Josh is a similar answer to Manuel Ugarte’s situation,” Van Nistelrooy told the press. “Josh came in, and he is a young player with a lot of potential. He’s a different type (of striker) to Rasmus [Højlund], because Rasmus is more of a No.9 who plays high up the pitch and he’s getting in the backs of defenders.

“Josh is more of a player who is coming towards the ball and gets the team playing. In the Crystal Palace game, I thought he was excellent and showed one of his best performances.

“Another one with a lot of talent, he’s a good age and has a lot of potential to develop.”

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