Manchester United have delivered a firm transfer verdict to Joshua Zirkzee, informing the Dutch striker that he will not be permitted to depart the club during the January window despite his limited playing opportunities this season.
Transfer Door Slammed Shut
The £36.5 million signing from Bologna, who joined United in the summer of 2024, has found himself on the periphery of manager Ruben Amorim's plans during the current campaign. Zirkzee has yet to start a single Premier League match and has been restricted to just five substitute appearances totaling a mere 90 minutes of action.
According to reports from The Sun, United officials have relayed a clear message to the 24-year-old forward: there is 'no chance' he will be allowed to leave when the transfer market reopens in January. This stance comes despite growing interest from several clubs, including Roma who could offer a return to Italian football, while Premier League sides West Ham United and Everton have also registered interest.
World Cup Dreams at Stake
The situation mirrors that of young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who also finds himself in a similar predicament with zero Premier League starts this term. Both players are understood to be desperate for regular first-team football as they pursue places in their respective national squads for next summer's World Cup.
Zirkzee aims to represent the Netherlands while Mainoo hopes to break into the England setup, making the coming months crucial for their international ambitions. The lack of European football at Old Trafford this season has significantly reduced opportunities for squad players, compounding their frustration.
African Nations Exodus Forces United's Hand
United's reluctance to part with attacking options stems from an anticipated shortage in January when several key players depart for international duty. Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will represent Ivory Coast and Cameroon respectively at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Noussair Mazraoui is set to join up with Morocco.
This temporary exodus could potentially open the door for Zirkzee to finally secure meaningful minutes and force his way back into Amorim's thinking. The club hierarchy appears determined to maintain squad depth during what promises to be a challenging period.
The situation has attracted commentary from Dutch football legend Ruud Gullit, who recently expressed his belief that Zirkzee should have remained in Italy. 'I think from my point of view that he should have stayed in Italy, because he was really striving,' Gullit told Metro. 'He was really doing well at Bologna, and I was hoping that he would go to Milan. I think that as soon as he went to Manchester United, it was the wrong decision.'
Gullit added his hope that a solution could be found, suggesting a loan return to Serie A might benefit the player's development. However, with United's current stance, that possibility appears remote unless circumstances change dramatically in the coming weeks.
