Juventus, AC Milan, and Como among clubs eyeing January deal for Manchester United star

Juventus are considering a swap deal involving Dušan Vlahović, while Milan see him as a versatile addition to their forward line. Meanwhile, Como have shown interest in signing him on loan. Zirkzee’s previous exploits in Serie A have clearly not been forgotten, and his future could once again lie in Italian football. Meanwhile, after a string of poor results, United finally won 2-0 against Sunderland, going into the international break, and Ruben Amorim talked about his team’s performance at Old Trafford.

Why a return to Serie A might revive his career?

There should not be any question about his quality, but in order to show your quality, you need the trust and game time from the manager. United have invested their full faith in Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Sesko. This leaves absolutely no place for the Ducthman, unless one or two of them suffer injury for a long time. This intense competition is not right from the Dutchman’s career right now, as he needs regular opportunities on the field to shine. During the 2024–25 season, he managed three league goals and one assist in 32 games, but the 2025–26 campaign has yet to see him make a mark. His passing accuracy, though improved to 83%, highlights how he’s adapted technically even in reduced minutes.

If he goes back to Italy, he will find a familiar environment where he has shone previously, and that should help him get back to his best. At Bologna, he scored 11 goals and assisted four, leading them to Champions League qualification. This performance attracted Manchester United in the first place. A similar environment, with greater trust and continuity, could allow him to regain confidence and consistency.

Juventus and Milan’s interest suggests that Serie A clubs still value his creativity and movement. For Zirkzee, regular playing time could be crucial in keeping his ambitions alive for the Dutch World Cup squad. Interestingly, reports claim Manchester United are also keeping a watchful eye on emerging midfield star Kees Smit, hinting that the club may now prioritise midfield reinforcements instead of retaining underused forwards. In this context, Zirkzee’s potential departure feels like a natural development rather than a surprise.