Joshua Zirkzee could leave Man Utd after only six months (Image: Getty)
Joshua Zirkzee could leave Old Trafford this winter, and the type of deal are looking for tells a story of its own.
The Red Devils beat fierce competition to sign Zirkzee in July following his 11-goal season with Bologna. And he could hardly have made a better start to life in the than coming off the bench to score the winner against on his debut.
A string of goalless appearances followed before the Dutchman hit a brace against in December, and another goal in a defeat to three weeks later. So far, that is the extent of United’s return on the they paid for Zirkzee.
And now, according to , they want to get rid of him permanently. Juventus have reportedly approached United about the idea of taking Zirkzee on loan this month, which was immediately dismissed.
The Red Devils are demanding a permanent deal or a loan move with an obligation to make it permanent in the summer. United’s requirements suggest that manager has already seen enough from Zirkzee to conclude that he can make do without him.
Before Monday’s 2-0 defeat to , in which Zirkzee started on the left side of an attacking trio, Amorim stated that he does not see the 23-year-old as an out-and-out centre-forward.
Ruben Amorim does not see Joshua Zirkzee as an orthodox No. 9 (Image: Getty)
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“We need strength,” he said. “I think if you look at our games, our strength in front, sometimes we are too light. We play with the ball, but you don’t feel the real power against it.”
Zirkzee struggled in unfamiliar territory, and as ran riot with two goals in the first 20 minutes, he was brutally sacrificed midway through the first half. The former Bayern Munich youngster headed straight for the tunnel before re-emerging minutes later amid expressions of sympathy from Sky Sports co-commentator .
Despite the criticism directed at Zirkzee, he still boasts a superior goals-to-game ratio than fellow striker in the this season. The Dane is two years younger but he cost twice as much, and United fans are yet to see him kick on from prospect to fully-fledged danger man.
But Old Trafford bosses are evidently more confident in Hojlund making that leap than Zirkzee, as they prepare to cut their losses on the £36.5m striker after a matter of months.