Joshua Zirkzee faces an uncertain future at Manchester United. It doesn’t have to be that way. My view is that the club must stand firm.
There’s no doubt that the 2025/26 season has not gone to plan for Joshua Zirkzee. His campaign got off to a poor start when he missed the entire pre-season with injury.
Zirkzee has been unable to hold down a first team spot, with only three first team starts to his name.
He is now in serious danger of missing out on the World Cup, having been omitted from recent Netherlands squads.
But just like the case of Kobbie Mainoo and England, I just can’t see how that’s Manchester United’s problem.
If the players could force their way into United’s first team, the international accolades will follow. It’s not hard to grasp.
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Interest in Joshua Zirkzee
Manchester United are fielding interest in Joshua Zirkzee from clubs in Italy. Roma are most advanced, while AC Milan are also hovering.
But there’s a pretty key problem. Neither team actually want to pay a transfer fee to sign Zirkzee. I have little sympathy for this.
Italian expert Carlo Pellegatti tells Milan News: “We hope Milan can sign Zirkzee at the end of the month, but it depends first and foremost on Manchester United, who must waive the obligation to buy and accept the option.”
Well, why should they?
Why should Manchester United give up a player on loan for free, with no obligation to buy?
Roma are in a similar situation. Both clubs are in a Serie A title challenge. Milan are one point behind leaders Inter, and Roma a further two points back.
So why should Manchester United give any freebies away to clubs who are on track to reach the Champions League, or even win a league title?
I could not envisage either Roma or Milan gift-wrapping a player to United on loan.
Manchester United must KEEP Joshua Zirkzee in January
Manchester United must send a message
Every single transfer window there are clubs who ‘try it on’, and attempt to lowball Manchester United and sign players for free, on loan.
We have seen it in the past with Jadon Sancho, Antony, and Marcus Rashford among others. And in each case, there were genuine reasons to let them leave, eventually.
United wanted all three gone, and eventually had to cave in.
The Joshua Zirkzee situation is a little different, and my view is that it’s the perfect one to take a stand on.
Zirkzee is a reliable part of the first team squad, who has featured in 10 out of 16 league games this season.
Yes, it’s mostly been as a back-up, but that’s exactly why he is useful. Ruben Amorim values him as a squad player.
When Benjamin Sesko was out, Zirkzee was selected to start at striker.
Currently United have Bruno Fernandes and Bryan Mbeumo unavailable. Zirkzee’s availability gives United extra options.
Zirkzee has proven he can make an impact, scoring a crucial goal in a win at Crystal Palace.
United just need three or four of these kind of moments from Zirkzee between now and the end of the season.
What if there is another serious injury? We have already given Rasmus Hojlund away for the season on loan to Napoli.
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We don’t get given freebies by other clubs, so why should we hand out a striker, to a team chasing a title?
If AC Milan or Roma want Zirkzee, they must pay a fee. A proper one representing his market value.
Manchester United don’t need to cave over Zirkzee. If he stays, he helps United, and could be the difference between finishing seventh, or fourth.
United must take a clear stance, and show Italian clubs that if they want a player, they must act like it, and pay his asking price.
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