Manchester United's chances of signing a new forward in January could depend on Joshua Zirkzee, whose future is uncertain amid a lack of game time, according to GIVEMESPORT's senior reporter Fabrizio Romano.
Zirkzee has endured a frustrating start to the season, having been handed just 90 minutes across competitions, including four cameo appearances from the bench in the Premier League. The Dutch attacker may have expected more first-team football following Rasmus Hojlund's departure.
Benjamin Sesko arrived from RB Leipzig for £74 million, but the Slovenian striker has taken his time settling in under Ruben Amorim and hasn't established himself as a regular starter. He was one of three attacking signings made by the club in the summer following the arrivals of Matheus Cunha for £62.5 million and Bryan Mbeumo for £71 million.
Manchester United have shown improvement this term after a disastrous 2024-25 campaign and sit seventh after 11 games. But Amorim may well be intent on adding more firepower to his team to ease the goalscoring burden on Mbeumo, who has hit five of the club's 19 league goals.
Zirkzee Situation 'Important' in Man United's Transfer Plans
Joshua Zirkzee in action for Manchester United
Romano has given an update on United's transfer plans heading into 2026, replying when asked what the chances are of them signing a new forward. He wrote in his latest GIVEMESPORT newsletter:
Nothing confirmed on that yet. At the moment, focus remains on the midfield for 2026 in general. But it’s important to see what happens with Zirkzee.
Zirkzee arrived at United from Bologna in the summer of 2024 for £36.5 million and scored on his debut in a 1-0 win over Fulham. But he soon came off the boil and started playing backup to Hojlund, who was misfiring throughout the campaign.
The 24-year-old has just over three years left on the contract he signed when joining the Red Devils last year. But he has been linked with an exit ahead of next summer's FIFA World Cup, with Everton thought to be keen on swooping in January.
Zirkzee might well get a chance to prove to Amorim that he deserves more game time after Sesko was ruled out for a month with a knee injury. Should his head coach still opt for alternatives such as using Mason Mount as a false 9, it could spell the end.
Semenyo Ideal For Amorim
Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo shouts.
Premier League - AFC Bournemouth v Newcastle United - Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain - September 21, 2025 AFC Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo after the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
If United were to target a new attacking signing in January, then their transfer chiefs should place Antoine Semenyo at the top of their wishlist. It has been revealed that the Bournemouth man has a £65 million release clause in his contract, which becomes active in the upcoming transfer window.
Semenyo has been in red-hot form this season, bagging six goals and three assists in 11 league games. The 25-year-old's versatility seems ideal for Amorim, as he can be used out wide on the left as a wing-back, on the left wing, or even centrally.
The problem is that there is plenty of interest in Semenyo, and Romano claims 3–4 clubs are circling for his signature. A new midfielder looks to be the priority for Amorim, although a big-money signing in January seems unlikely despite links to Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson and Brighton & Hove Albion's Carlos Baleba.