Joshua Zirkzee confirms latest injury timeline

The excitement around Old Trafford following Manchester United’s 2-0 derby victory over Manchester City was tempered by concerns over squad availability, as fans took note of key absences.

Michael Carrick’s first match in charge saw a disciplined and energetic performance from the team, but questions lingered about the availability of forwards ahead of upcoming fixtures.

United supporters have been following transfer rumours closely this month, particularly around players seeking regular minutes to maintain form and match sharpness.

The January window has already been busy behind the scenes, with strategic decisions regarding loans and squad rotations being discussed internally.

While Carrick’s team is enjoying an uplifting run of form, the fitness of players like Joshua Zirkzee is becoming a talking point for both fans and the club.

Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee has suffered a small injury.

Zirkzee was absent from the squad to face Manchester City on Saturday afternoon due to the knock he picked up against Brighton.

The Dutchman watched from the directors’ box at Old Trafford as his team-mates secured a dominant 2-0 victory, which handed Michael Carrick a dream start to his interim role.

The 24-year-old was captured telling a fan, who goes by the username @theyetest_ on TikTok, outside Old Trafford that he would be sidelined for “two weeks”, and it remains to be seen whether the issue affects his future in the final two weeks of the January window.

Joshua Zirkzee has considered leaving United for the sake of minutes in January, and Italian club Roma have expressed an interest in signing him on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

Speaking last weekend, Roma director Frederic Massara when asked about Roma’s interest in Zirkzee, he responded: “Man Utd said no quite clearly a couple of weeks ago and they have not changed their minds.”

The forward’s situation now presents a delicate balancing act for United, as the club assesses squad depth and the player’s desire for regular playing time.

With key fixtures approaching, Carrick and his coaching staff will need to monitor Zirkzee’s recovery closely while evaluating potential options to ensure the squad remains competitive.

As the January transfer window ticks down, the focus will remain on how Manchester United manages both injuries and loan requests, with Zirkzee’s status a key subplot in the ongoing reshaping of Carrick’s squad.