Joshua Zirkzee has been limited to just 90 minutes of action for Manchester United this season, but Benjamin Sesko’s injury could see him given opportunities in the coming weeks.
While 20 Manchester United players were away on international duty this month, Joshua Zirkzee did not get a call-up to the Netherlands squad.
The Netherlands secured a place at the 2026 World Cup with a 4-0 win over Lithuania; however, Zirkzee runs the risk of missing out on a spot in the squad for next summer’s tournament, unless he starts playing regular football at club level.
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It is worth noting that Ronald Koeman is blessed with the strongest Dutch squad in years, with several players impressing in the Premier League. Even ex-United striker Wout Weghorst is ahead of Zirkzee in the pecking order.
That could change if Zirkzee can get a run of matches under Ruben Amorim, or if he leaves Old Trafford in January.
Joshua Zirkzee training at Carrington
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Joshua Zirkzee impressing in Man Utd training
It is understood that United won’t let Zirkzee leave in January.
The 24-year-old has no shortage of interest after previously impressing in Serie A at Bologna before he signed for United, but his time as a Red has never truly taken off.
Zirkzee suffered an injury setback at the start of pre-season, which meant he missed United’s tour of the United States and he has rarely featured in the team since then.
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However, Benjamin Sesko has been ruled out of action for a month. That could be Zirkzee’s invitation to get more minutes under his belt.
Sesko could miss around five Premier League matches, depending on his rehabilitation, starting this weekend when Everton comes to the Theatre of Dreams.
It bodes well that Zirkzee is a popular figure at Carrington and has been training well in recent weeks, as respected journalist Andy Mitten provides an update on the Dutch forward in the latest episode of Talk of the Devils.
“He needs to play football,” Mitten said.
“I mean, he’s got a contract so he could sit on that, but he needs to play football. He’s very popular, very popular with the staff, with the players, he trains well.
“Nice lad, considered to be really, really talented, but he’s got to bring what he does into training. Into first team matches.”
Joshua Zirkzee record vs Everton
Zirkzee has not scored in the Premier League since doing so twice in a 4-0 victory over Everton last December.
Sean Dyche was Everton manager at the time, but Zirkzee’s performance was arguably his best since joining United.
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Zirkzee has played against Everton twice, recording one win and one draw, so he will be aiming to build on that this weekend granted he gets the nod from Amorim.