Joshua Zirkzee’s hope of leaving Manchester United in January has suffered a huge blow as the club plan to delay their decision, according to ESPN.
United manager Ruben Amorim has some critical decision to make when the January transfer window opens and this includes letting go of some players.
However, the Portuguese options have been hit by the loss of Bryan Mbeumo, Amad and Noussair Mazraoui to AFCON and a growing injury list which includes Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo.
Joshua Zirkzee & Jack Fletcher wait to come on during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Manchester United. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
It meant the United boss had to hand senior debuts to 18-year-olds Jack Fletcher and Shea Lacey during the 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday, as well as using defender Lisandro Martínez as an emergency midfielder in the second half.
Zirkzee, who has struggled for consistent game time so far this season, is the subject of interest from West Ham and Roma, among others.
The Dutchman has also been linked with AC Milan before the Italian side turned their attention to West Ham’s German striker Niclas Füllkrug.
According to ESPN, United are yet to receive any club-to-club contact. Zirkzee — valued at around £30.5 million ($47m) by United — will explore any offers which arrive in January.
The 24-year-old is conscious that he needs to be playing more regularly to force his way into the Netherlands squad ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
United, however, are concerned that the squad is already thin and have stressed to Zirkzee and his representatives that he remains a key part of Amorim’s squad, if not always the starting XI.
