Zirkzee's Manchester United Nightmare
Joshua Zirkzee's future at Manchester United appears increasingly uncertain as Italian club AS Roma prepare a potential rescue mission for the struggling Dutch striker. The 24-year-old has failed to make his mark at Old Trafford since his £36 million transfer from Bologna in 2024, managing just three goals in 37 Premier League appearances.
Roma's Proposed Deal Structure
According to reports, Roma are willing to sign Zirkzee on a six-month loan deal in January, with a view to making the move permanent next summer. However, the deal faces a significant obstacle as the two clubs disagree on the player's valuation. United want to recoup most of their £36 million investment, while Roma value the forward closer to £20 million.
The situation has created a genuine dilemma for United's hierarchy, who must decide whether to cut their losses on a player who has clearly struggled to adapt to the Premier League, or hold out for a fee that reflects their original substantial outlay.
World Cup Ambitions Drive Exit Desire
Zirkzee is understood to be desperate to find an escape route from Old Trafford, primarily to boost his chances of being involved in the Netherlands squad for the 2026 World Cup. His limited playing time and underwhelming performances have put his international prospects in serious jeopardy.
The striker was handed a rare start in Monday night's chastening 1-0 home defeat against Everton, with regular forwards Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha both sidelined. However, he failed to seize the opportunity, delivering a performance that drew criticism from former United striker Michael Owen.
"I can't watch him and get excited, I must admit," Owen told Premier League Productions. "If you have Cunha playing, a different profile of player, you probably don't go knocking crosses in all game. It's not how Manchester United want to play."
Champions League Incentive for Move
Beyond his World Cup ambitions, Zirkzee knows that a move to Roma could offer potential Champions League football next season, with the Italian club currently pushing for a top-four finish in Serie A. This represents a significant upgrade on his current situation at United, who are struggling to secure European qualification of any description.
The coming January transfer window will be crucial in determining whether this proposed move gains traction or if Zirkzee faces continued frustration in Manchester. For United, it represents another difficult decision in their ongoing squad rebuild under manager Ruben Amorim.
