Joshua Zirkzee’s chances of leaving Manchester United just increased

Right now, Joshua Zirkzee is the only backup striker to Benjamin Sesko on Manchester United, and with Sesko’s short term future in question due to a recent knee injury he suffered against Tottenham Hotspur, Man United have even fewer reasons to want to sell the Dutch international.

Since arriving at Old Trafford, Zirkzee has been a bit of a disappointment, and like Rasmus Hojlund, he may just fit Serie A better than the Premier League. But Zirkzee is not someone Man United want to get rid of in January because of that lack of depth.

Plus, it’s not like he’s gotten a real chance to succed, since he is more of an all-around type and didn’t have anyone to play off of last season. This season, he’s been discarded, just when the Red Devils brought in bona fide Premier League stars Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.

Holding onto Zirkzee this winter may be getting more difficult, though. As Relevo journalist Matteo Moretto reports, more and more clubs are being interested in Zirkzee, including a Serie A giant interested in bringing him back to Italy, AS Roma.

Per Moretto, Roma want to sign Zirkzee on loan in January, and, overall, there is an increasing trend towards the threat of Zirkzee leaving Old Trafford on a loan deal in the winter.

Roma would need Manchester United to cover some of his wages, though, since his salary is too high for them. Zirkzee leaving United on loan seems unlikely, given their lack of depth, but if Zirkzee wants to spread his wings and play more, it may be hard to convince him to stay.