WAFU Opinion: Should Manchester United sell Joshua Zirkzee?

See Zirkzee is more of a player who was signed to operate in a backup role to Hojlund (in my opinion). But many did think that he could be used in a support striker role in more of a dual setup (e.g., 4-4-2 diamond or 3-5-2). But he certainly was expected to bring link-up play and ball retention in the final third, complemented by creativity in deeper central zones. There were also shouts of him having that rotational capability with the likes of Bruno Fernandes or Mason Mount.

But his on-pitch impact turned out to be a bit different. His finishing under pressure turned out to be a bit inconsistent, given how he lacks that much-needed killer instinct upfront. Then he often found himself outmuscled against the Premiership centre-backs.

And while he did show some intensity while pressing in my optimism, that was far from enough when you consider how Amorim likes his front pressers to operate. And while he was good with hold-up play, he lacks that decisiveness in the final third, especially when you consider the pace of the game in the English top tier.

Then his tactical ability is a bit bound given how he cannot play out wide or doesn’t fit as a lone 9 or 10 consistently. He slows transitions, and then I have seen him often occupy the same zones that are already preferred by Bruno Fernandes. Moreover, he lacks the verticality that Amorim wants from his front line.

Chemistry with Key Players

When you consider his chemistry with other players in the roster, he is rarely a natural fit when playing with Rasmus Hojlund they both end up clogging central areas. Then, when you think of Bruno, as I put in earlier, he generally operates in the same space that the Portuguese operate in, generally leading to crowding.

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Let’s think about the pricing point

If you think about his current market value, the Reds could sell him for somewhere around €35–€40m this summer, and Inter Milan are interested in signing him. Bologna may also be up for bringing him back, but that will directly depend on their summer sales. If United sell him this summer, given how his current value is still respectable, it will be reasonable. But then, if United do end up keeping him and he has another poor season, it will lower his resale value further to €20-25m.

So I do think that the Premier League heavyweights need to consider selling Zirkzee if a decent offer pops up for him this offseason. And then you take up the fund and invest that in a striker who brings more attributes that suit Amorim’s playing style.