When Manchester United will reassess Joshua Zirkzee’s future

Joshua Zirkzee faces a battle for his place at Manchester United over the course of the season after a failed move to Everton in the final stages of the summer transfer window.

Zirkzee had been consistently playing for United in the 2024/25 season, playing in 49 games across all competitions and scoring seven goals.

Last summer’s transfer window, focussing on recruitment in attacking positions, has pushed the Dutchman out of the frame with Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko all consistently chosen over him by both Ruben Amorim and Michael Carrick.

That choice has left the 25-year-old in a state of flux with inconsistent game-time meaning that the forward will have few opportunities to prove why he should start for Carrick’s side in matches.

The collapsing of moves, both to Italy and Everton, means the forward will spend at least the next four months at Manchester United, time he will have to use to battle for his place if he is to earn opportunities to prove his talent.

Journalist Tyrone Marshall has now said that the club may revisit Zirkzee’s situation in January, when the next opportunity for the 25-year-old to leave the club will open up.

Marshall, answering questions on the Manchester Evening News website, also said that a replacement for Zirkzee may not be essential due to the large range of options that can play centrally including Sesko, Cunha, and even Marcus Rashford.

With Manchester United already setting plans for revisiting the Dutchman’s future, it appears that it is only a matter of time before Joshua Zirkzee leaves the club.

At 25, there is still time for the forward to make an impact elsewhere and build his career up once again.

Clubs across Europe now have a chance to prepare their January plans with Zirkzee in them and to show him how they can be the key needed to re-energise his career.