Former England striker Emile Heskey has delivered a vote of confidence for under-fire Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee, insisting the Dutchman can still salvage his career at Old Trafford.
A Struggling Start at Old Trafford
Zirkzee's time at Manchester United has been challenging since his £36.5 million transfer from Bologna in 2024. The Holland international has managed just eight goals in 57 appearances across all competitions, often finding himself relegated to the sidelines.
This lack of game time has led to widespread speculation that the 24-year-old will leave the club in the upcoming January transfer window, with Serie A side AS Roma among several clubs interested in a loan deal. Zirkzee is also reportedly concerned that his situation could jeopardise his chances of featuring for the Netherlands at next summer's World Cup.
Heskey Sees a 'Turning Point'
Speaking exclusively to betwright.com, Heskey pointed to United's recent match against Crystal Palace as a potential catalyst for change. He argued that Zirkzee is now playing with less fear and must use this moment to prove his worth, especially with first-choice striker Benjamin Sesko currently injured.
"Joshua Zirkzee has not had an easy start to life at Manchester United," Heskey said. "He's had a really tough time and been scrutinised since he joined the club, but he’s playing with far less fear now - we saw that against Crystal Palace. Hopefully he can use that game as a turning point to really kick on."
Needing Support from Teammates
The former Liverpool forward emphasised that Zirkzee cannot be expected to thrive alone. He highlighted the striker's ability to hold up the ball and create space, but stressed that teammates must do more to capitalise on his strengths.
"From what I've seen, Zirkzee looks like a good investment for the future," Heskey added. "But you're not going to get much out of a player if you throw them into the deep end and hope they produce some magic. He needs more support from the players around him who can capitalise on his strengths by running into the space he’s provided."
Mainoo's Future Also in Doubt
Zirkzee is not the only United player whose future is uncertain. Midfielder Kobbie Mainoo was an unused substitute during Thursday's draw with West Ham, a decision that infuriated club legend Paul Scholes.
Scholes launched a scathing attack on manager Ruben Amorim's treatment of the England international, labelling it "bulls***". "The kid is being ruined, not being played in a team that can't control a game of football," Scholes stated. "Hate seeing home grown players leave but it's probably best for him now, enough is enough."
The coming weeks will be critical for both Zirkzee and Mainoo as the January transfer window approaches, with their Manchester United careers hanging in the balance.
