Joshua Zirkzee may now be even more likely to leave Man Utd after yet another blow

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Joshua Zirkzee has been overlooked by Ronald Koeman in every Netherlands squad for the past year, so the Manchester United forward faces an uphill battle to make the World Cup squad ahead of next summer.

Manchester United have 20 players on international duty in November, but several players missed out on call-ups to their respective national teams.

Joshua Zirkzee was one of eight United players snubbed by their national teams this month, with multiple reasons to explain why each player didn’t get the nod.

The United forward was famously called up to the Dutch squad for the 2024 European Championships to replace Teun Koopmeiners.

However, since the November 2024 Nations League fixtures, Zirkzee has missed out on every call-up opportunity.

It doesn’t help that Zirkzee has been limited to just 90 minutes across all competitions for United this season. He is not going to get back into the national team unless he is playing regular football.

Opinion: Joshua Zirkzee’s patience is being tested Man Utd

There is no way Zirkzee is satisfied with his current situation at Old Trafford.

The 24-year-old hasn’t started a single game this season and has been limited to just 82 minutes in the Premier League as a substitute in four games.

Koeman left Matthijs de Ligt out of the previous squad due to a dip in performances at the international level, but the United centre-back has played his way back into the Netherlands squad for the November fixtures.

That tells you there’s plenty of competition for places in the Netherlands squad.

Zirkzee’s patience will be tested at United because it’s a World Cup year. It looks like his best chance of getting back into the Netherlands squad is by leaving United and settling for a team that will grant him a starting role.

That won’t be happening at United anytime soon, with Benjamin Sesko leading the line and Matheus Cunha seen as an alternative when Ruben Amorim chooses to mix things up, as seen in the memorable 2-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield.

To make matters worse, Zirkzee was overlooked again as Wout Weghorst’s physical condition meant the former United striker had to pull out of the squad. Koeman decided to turn to RC Stasbourg striker Emmanuel Emegha for his maiden call-up for the senior team.

This is the latest blow for Zirkzee that could help make up his mind about leaving United midway through the season when the January transfer window opens.

In his first season at United, Zirkzee made 49 appearances and scored seven goals across all competitions.

What has Ronald Koeman said about Joshua Zirkzee?

With it being over a year since Zirkzee’s last call-up, it is clear that Koeman has other attacking options that he prefers to select ahead of the struggling United forward.

Some of those players include not only Weghorst and Emegha, but also Justin Kluivert, Cody Gakpo, Memphis Depay, and Donyell Malen.

When asked about Zirkzee’s snub in March, Koeman stressed that he is not good enough at this moment in time.

“He wasn’t in the preliminary selection because I don’t think he’s good enough at the moment,” said Koeman, as quoted by Soccer News. “Especially scanning when turning or passing often goes wrong.

“Yes, in principle form and fitness are always leading, but that is not always possible. We have a lot of central defenders and midfielders, but we are somewhat limited up front.

“But even then, I still think that you have to earn your selection, and I think he doesn’t deserve that now, but that could be the case again in another period.”