It’s clear-out season at Manchester United (at least that’s the idea!), but one player hasn’t just saved himself from the clear-out; he’s convinced Ruben Amorim completely.
After a season straight of nightmares, where everything that could go wrong for Man Utd did go wrong, it’s no surprise that Ruben Amorim is preparing a repeat of what he did at Sporting in his first summer there.
As such, nearly all the members of the squad are up for sale for the right price, and Man Utd fans won’t be shedding tears over many departures.
It is a huge statement of intent by one player, then, who has not only saved himself from that fate but earned himself a bigger role next season.
Harry Maguire of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team's second goal with team mates Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Manchester United and Leicester City at Old Trafford on February 07, 2025
Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images
Man Utd and Ruben Amorim now convinced by Joshua Zirkzee
It was less than six months ago that the unthinkable happened at Manchester United, and poor Joshua Zirkzee was at the centre of it all.
The Old Trafford faithful broke tradition and reputation, as they booed one of their own when Joshua Zirkzee came off before half-time.
United couldn’t lay a glove on Newcastle that day, and the Dutchman, who had failed to convince till then, became the lightning rod for the fans’ frustration.
Fast forward to the day of the Europa League final, and there was euphoria that Zirkzee’s miraculous injury recovery would make him available for the game.
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That turnaround, powered by the player’s own determination and a slight change of position, has now been given the final seal of approval by Ruben Amorim.
United in Focus reported back in April that Zirkzee’s prospects at United look brighter than ever despite murmurs around Cunha at the time.
Now, TalkSport confirms that he’s completed a remarkable turnaround at the club, with Amorim against selling him now, reserving ‘bigger plans’ for him in 2025/26.
The report states that if Amorim were to agree to sell a striker this summer, Rasmus Hojlund is the clear preference, with Zirkzee impressing the Man Utd manager enough despite a tough debut season.
Joshua Zirkzee will thrive in a functional Man Utd attack
Unlike Hojlund, who concerningly looked like a one-trick pony at his worst, Zirkzee’s game is well-rounded with potential to improve.
While Hojlund needs to be served, and his shot confidence meant he couldn’t even do the basics right, Zirkzee’s technical excellence allows him to thrive even when he’s not at his shooting best.
With Cunha and potentially Mbeumo around him, it is likely that the devastating best of Zirkzee will be seen next season.
As a deep-lying forward who can pick out threatening runs from deep, Zirkzee is best-placed to run riot in a fluid front three with the aforementioned duo.
Add Bruno Fernandes pinging balls from deep, and Zirkzee being at the fulcrum of that attack has all the makings of a dominant outfit.
Zirkzee made the best of his tools in an attack that was disjointed, despite being a system player, and came out the other side with his reputation enhanced.
As the United squad clicks and the attack becomes functional, the sky is the limit for the Dutchman.