Rosenborg BK v Manchester United - Pre-Season Friendly
Rosenborg BK v Manchester United - Pre-Season Friendly
TRONDHEIM, NORWAY - JULY 24: Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United warms up ahead of the pre-season friendly match between Rosenborg and Manchester United at Lerkendal Stadion on July 24, 2026 in Trondheim, Norway. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
It doesn’t seem like Joshua Zirkzee will be moving to Juventus, who he was linked with earlier in the week, but he might move to another club this summer, according to the same report. The Dutchman, who showed some of his qualities against Rosenborg in a pre-season friendly last Friday, joined the club two seasons ago for a fee of £36.5 million from Bologna, but has failed to make a lasting impression at Old Trafford.
The Dutchman showed signs of improvement after a difficult start in his first season, but has never fully managed to keep up with the pace of the game in England. Despite his frame and technical attributes, he has never really been able to use them in a meaningful way during his time at United; he doesn’t see a picture or anticipate quickly enough.
Unfortunately for him, he’s also not someone who can play across the frontline. It’s not just Benjamin Sesko who’s ahead of him in the pecking order, but also Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, who can offer something in the centre-forward areas. It wouldn’t make a lot of sense to keep him as a squad option, either.
United need to sell to buy, and with Manuel Ugarte injured, Zirkzee is the only senior player who might fetch a fee that’s close to the one United paid for him. The Dutchman seems like a friendly presence in the dressing room and a talent who has another gear in him, but two years is a long time at a big club, and Zirkzee hasn’t shown enough in that time to suggest he’s worth persisting with. It’s best for the two sides to part ways this summer.