Joshua Zirkzee faces an uncertain future at Manchester United after playing just 90 minutes of football so far this season.
It has been a difficult start to the season for Joshua Zirkzee. The Manchester United forward has been limited to five appearances, with four of them coming in the Premier League.
Zirkzee now has a chance to play more matches following Benjamin Sesko’s injury, with United facing Everton on Monday night.
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Ruben Amorim confirmed that Sesko will be missing for the next few weeks, so Zirkzee will be hoping for more opportunities after losing his place in the Netherlands squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Zirkzee’s future will remain uncertain if he continues to get overlooked, but it will be heavily dependent on what offers are made for the 24-year-old.
Joshua Zirkzee training at Manchester United
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Roma would sign Joshua Zirkzee if they could
Although Zirkzee has hardly played for United this season, he is one of the few options Amorim has for the striker role.
Matheus Cunha and Bruno Fernandes can play as false nines, but Sesko is the only recognised centre-forward in the squad.
That may be something United will address next summer, but the funds won’t be there to do it in January, meaning Zirkzee is likely to stay put for the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign.
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Football reporter Dean Jones has provided an update on Zirkzee, stating that the Serie A outfit wants to sign the forward on loan in January.
However, such a move is deemed unlikely because United don’t see the point of sending Zirkzee on loan without an obligation.
“Roma want him on loan, they would take him as soon as the window opens, but United don’t see the point of sending him out on loan unless there is an obligation,” Jones said.
“Right now, nobody seems to know which way that one is going.”
The situation could change if Roma put their money where their mouth is and sign Zirkzee on a permanent deal. In turn, that could give United extra funds to sign a player or two in January.
How did Joshua Zirkzee perform in Italy?
Zirkzee had two spells in Italy before signing for United in 2024.
Zirkzee left Bayern Munich to join Parma on loan in 2021 before going on to make four appearances.
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He later joined Bologna, where he made 58 appearances, scoring 14 goals and registering nine assists.
Zirkzee still has a strong reputation in Italy, which could prove beneficial in the future.