Manchester United star Joshua Zirkzee has asked to LEAVE - after 16 games: report

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Manchester United signed Joshua Zirkzee over the summer - but the Dutchman has struggled to adapt to the Premier League

Joshua Zirkzee
Manchester United star Joshua Zirkzee is unhappy at Old Trafford (Image credit: Getty Images)

Manchester United star Joshua Zirkzee has asked to leave the club, after only signing in the summer.

Zirkzee joined the Red Devils on a five-year contract from Bologna in July of this year. Manchester United paid £36.5 million for the forward, as per Sky Sports, as part of Erik ten Hag's Dutch revolution.

But having scored just once in the Premier League all season long, Zirkzee has struggled in a red shirt.

Manchester United could look to move Joshua Zirkzee on this January

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim

Ruben Amorim may yet look to integrate Zirkzee (Image credit: Getty Images)

Zirkzee enjoyed a superb season under Thiago Motta in Serie A last season. He was then included in the Netherlands squad for Euro 2024, with Motta comparing the frontman to the legendary Ronaldinho.

Italian outlet Calciomercato first linked the 23-year-old with a quick return to Italy last month, however, with Zirkzee having blanked since opening night of the Premier League season. Now, the former Bayern Munich man himself has reportedly asked to leave.

Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee

Zirkzee has scored just once for United (Image credit: Getty Images)

Another Italian source, La Stampa, relayed Calciomercato has reaffirmed the player's possible exit, claiming that Juventus could well offer him a reunion with Motta.

Dusan Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik are both currently out injured, with the current Old Lady head coach Motta apparently keen on a new striker. Zirkzee could well be brought in on loan.

“The former Bologna player is unhappy and is therefore seriously considering leaving in the winter transfer window,” the report claims. “He has instructed his agents to find him another place and to try to test the waters with Juve.”

In FourFourTwo's opinion, however, it is incredibly premature to link Zirkzee with a move away.

Cristiano Giuntoli, Thiago Motta of Juventus during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 training and press conference at Juventus Stadium on October 21, 2024 in Turin, Italy.

Could Juve move for Zirkzee? (Image credit: Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images)

The Italian media have consistently linked both Zirkzee and Liverpool star Federico Chiesa with moves back to Serie A ever since the league lost the pair. It could be construed as wishful thinking – as both players are still extremely new to their sides and it would be doubtful to see either club let their players leave during a season in which Premier League injuries are mounting.

Zirkzee is worth €50m according to Transfermarkt. United take on Ipswich Town this weekend when Premier League action returns.

Mark White
Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.