Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee is reportedly eyeing a departure from Old Trafford in January as he seeks to secure a place in the Netherlands’ World Cup squad. This news comes in light of a challenging season for the Red Devils, which saw them finish 15th in the Premier League, missing out on European competition entirely.
In a season marked by disappointing performances, only four teams in the Premier League netted fewer goals than Manchester United. Together, Zirkzee and his fellow striker Rasmus Hojlund were under scrutiny for their paltry combined total of just seven league goals.
Hojlund has since moved on loan to Serie A champions Napoli, a deal that is expected to solidify as a permanent transfer. Meanwhile, Zirkzee has remained at Manchester United, primarily as a backup player.
During the recent transfer window, the Red Devils invested significantly, approximately £200 million, in new attacking options, bringing in talents such as Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo. This influx of talent has drastically curtailed Zirkzee’s playing time, resulting in only four substitute appearances across all competitions, which adds up to just 113 minutes on the pitch.
Reports suggest that Zirkzee is growing increasingly frustrated with his situation. A recent disclosure indicates that a move in the upcoming January transfer window is critical for him if he hopes to remain in contention for a place on the Netherlands’ World Cup squad next summer.
Furthermore, Chido Obi’s return to the academy setup after featuring eight times for the first team could lead Manchester United to retain Zirkzee as a safety net, should first-choice striker and £74 million signing Benjamin Sesko encounter any issues.
Despite this, Zirkzee’s frustration has reached new heights, and his best chance to salvage a season that could jeopardize his World Cup ambitions seems to hinge on orchestrating a move away in January. According to reports from Football Insider, Serie A clubs like Inter Milan, Juventus, and Como are showing interest, and West Ham has also entered the fray for the Dutchman.
In addition to his club struggles, Zirkzee has found himself absent from Ronald Koeman’s latest Netherlands squad for the October international break. The national coach previously commented that Zirkzee hadn’t demonstrated sufficient performance levels to warrant a selection, noting issues with executing basic movements on the pitch.
Koeman stated, “He wasn’t in the preliminary selection because I don’t believe he’s good enough at the moment.” He elaborated on the competition within the squad and emphasized the necessity for players to earn their spots, affirming that current form and fitness are crucial metrics for selection.
As the January transfer window draws closer, the situation remains fluid for Zirkzee. His future at Manchester United and potential role on the national team hangs in the balance. Whether he can turn his fortunes around and secure a spot in the World Cup squad could hinge on his decisions in the coming months.
