Manchester United centre-forward Joshua Zirkzee was not named among the substitutes as the Reds beat Manchester City 2-0 on Saturday at Old Trafford
Joshua Zirkzee was not in Manchester United's matchday squad for the victory over Manchester City
Joshua Zirkzee was not in Manchester United's matchday squad for the victory over Manchester City(Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
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Manchester United have told AS Roma they will not be selling Joshua Zirkzee in the January transfer window despite him not making the bench for Saturday's derby victory over Manchester City.
The Dutchman was signed by Erik ten Hag after Euro 2024 but his arrival prompted question marks. Zirkzee had not scored prolifically for Bologna prior to moving to Old Trafford and there were concerns he would be able to make the step up.
Those worries proved to be correct with the 24-year-old scoring nine goals in 65 appearances for the Reds. After Ruben Amorim's appointment, United looked to utilise Zirkzee as a No.10.
This decision was made out of necessity but Zirkzee enjoyed his best spell for United in that position as they made it to the Europa League final. In the summer, the Reds swooped for Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, pushing Zirkzee down the pecking order.
When Benjamin Sesko picked up an injury at Tottenham, Zirkzee was recalled to the starting XI to play as the centre-forward and scored against Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
But now Mbeumo has returned from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Zirkzee was not able to make the bench for the Manchester derby.
MEN Sport reported AS Roma's interest in Zirkzee during the January transfer window last year. But in quotes relayed by BBC Sport, the Serie A club's director of football has insisted United are not looking to sell the Dutchman this window.
Frederic Massara said: "Man United said no quite clearly a couple of weeks ago and they have not changed their minds."
Since this conversation, Massara's Roma have pivoted to other transfer targets in order to strengthen their attack. Last week, they completed the signing of Donyell Malen from Aston Villa.
Joshua Zirkzee pictured
Manchester United centre-forward Joshua Zirkzee(Image: Getty)
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With United's squad paper thin, Zirkzee's exit would have facilitated the need to bring in a replacement this month. Speaking previously on his future before leaving the club, Amorim insisted he wanted Zirkzee to stay at United.
"I want to keep Josh because he gives everything and he’s trying in training but we don’t know," Amorim said at the beginning of January.
"The window is open and we will see what happens. We just need to focus on training and to take this for the other games."
The January transfer window shuts on Monday, February 2 at 7pm.