Joshua Zirkzee has been linked with a loan exit at Manchester United but Benjamin Sesko’s injury against Tottenham has created a shortage of strikers.
Ruben Amorim started Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham with Benjamin Sesko on the bench. Matheus Cunha started up front in a central role.
The £66 million summer signing did come on as a substitute in the second half, but Sesko suffered a knee injury just 30 minutes after entering the pitch.
Joshua Zirkzee was on the bench for United, but Amorim had already made all five substitutions, meaning the Dutch striker was not able to add to his 82 Premier League minutes this season.
Ruben Amorim is concerned about Sesko after he went down holding his knee, and the severity of the injury could impact transfer plans in January.
Joshua Zirkzee loan relies on squad health
Zirkzee has attracted plenty of interest around Europe this season, with clubs aware of his lack of game time at United.
A January move looked to be on the cards, but transfer expert Graeme Bailey has exclusively told United in Focus how Sesko’s injury could impact the decision.
Zirkzee has accepted that a loan move in January is dependent on the health of the United squad, which is one reason why an agreement is not yet in place with any club.
Roma continue to push for Zirkzee, with the Italian side already looking at sending Brighton’s Evan Ferguson back to England.
United have officially insisted that they would not sanction a move, and Zirkzee has not committed to any club knowing that injuries could change the outcome. Zirkzee could step up to replace Sesko following his knee injury in North London.
“United have always said that Zirkzee, and for that matter Kobbie Mainoo, were not leaving on loan, although intermediaries have not been deterred from holding talks,” Bailey told United in Focus.
“However, Zirkzee understands that while he has lots of interest, it is far from a given that he will be allowed to leave, and I am told that he accepts this.
“Zirkzee loves being at United and playing for the club, but it is a World Cup year and he needs to earn his place in Ronald Koeman’s squad.”
Latest news on Benjamin Sesko injury
After full-time against Spurs, Amorim told press: “We think he [Sesko] has a problem”. The Slovenian striker has undergone scans on Sunday morning, and United staff are hopeful that the injury is not too bad.
Sesko boasts an incredible injury record throughout his career, with only three injuries suffered prior to his Manchester move.
Amorim was asked whether Sesko’s injury could impact United’s transfer plans, and (via The Mirror), he said: “We have to check everything, we have to check what has happened with Ben.
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“But let’s see when the window is open, if we can improve the team and try to prepare something that happened. Until then, we have to take the chance.”
It is understood that United could target a midfielder in January, but if Sesko’s injury is serious then it could change the strategy – and that includes a potential impact on Zirkzee’s future.
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