Mathieu Warnier, Media365: published on Wednesday January 1, 2025 at 10:40 a.m.
Arriving last summer at Manchester United but not necessarily fitting into Ruben Amorim’s plans, Joshua Zirkzee could leave the Red Devils this winter, amid discouragement.
The good pick turns into a fiasco. Brilliant in the colors of Bologna last season, Joshua Zirkzee has remade a name for himself on the European football scene. Performances which caught the eye of Manchester United, who did not hesitate to spend more than 40 million euros to attract the Dutch international striker (6 caps). But, if he often started under the orders of his compatriot Erik ten Hag, the situation changed once Ruben Amorim arrived on the bench of the Red Devils, on November 11, from Sporting CP. Under the orders of the Portuguese technician, Joshua Zirkzee had to be content with the ends of matches with only four starts in two months. The point of no return was undoubtedly reached this Monday when, during Manchester United’s defeat against Newcastle at Old Trafford, the Dutchman was replaced by Kobbie Mainoo after just 33 minutes. After having greeted his coach very coldly, the former Bayern Munich player joined the locker room and, according to indiscretions from England, Joshua Zirkzee was seen crying bitterly in the aisles of the “Theater of Dreams”.
Juventus as refuge for Zirkzee?
Facing the press, Ruben Amorim did not hide that making this change so early in the match “was very difficult” for him. “I had to think about the team, but also the player,” the Manchester United coach told the press. We needed another midfielder to control the ball. It was a painful decision, but essential to convey a message. » Except that, for the 23-year-old, this mistrust could open the door to a departure from the north of England barely six months after his arrival. Indeed, according to information from the Spanish daily Sports Worlda departure of Joshua Zirkzee this winter is being considered by the leaders of Manchester United with Juventus who could be interested in the profile of the Dutchman. A return to Italy would not displease the player either, who would then have the opportunity to reunite in Piedmont with Thiago Motta, who was his coach at Bologna last season. It would therefore remain for the two clubs to find an agreement, with the Red Devils who will undoubtedly want not to lose out too much in the deal.
