Man Utd facing Joshua Zirkzee dilemma as transfer obstacle threatens star's exit

View 2 Images

AS Roma want to rescue Joshua Zirkzee from his Manchester United nightmare - but the deal will depend on the Italian outfit agreeing a transfer fee with United next summer.

Roma are willing to sign Zirkzee on a six-month loan in January, with a view to making the move permanent ahead of next season. But United are keen to recoup most of the £36m sum the forward cost them when joining from Bologna in 2024.

Roma bosses, though, value Zirkzee closer to the £20m mark. Holland forward Zirkzee is desperate to find an escape route from Old Trafford, in a bid to boost his hopes of being involved in the 2026 World Cup.

Zirkzee has failed to make an impact at United, scoring just three goals in 37 league appearances. The 24-year-old wants to reignite his career, elsewhere and knows Roma could secure a place in the Champions League for next season.

Zirkzee was handed a rare chance to impress in Monday night's chastening 1-0 home defeat against Everton with Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha sidelined. But he failed to make the most of it, with his performance leaving former Red Devils striker Michael Owen questioning if Zirkzee is the right for what Amorim wants his frontman to do.

View 2 Images

“I can’t watch him and get excited, I must admit,” Owen told Premier League Productions. “Cunha missing today was a big blow. He was the closest to scoring for Man United but they are almost resorting to playing like this with hopeful crosses because he’s in there.

“If you have Cunha playing, a different profile of player, you probably don’t go knocking crosses in all game. It’s not how Manchester United want to play and I always think if you start lumping the ball it becomes desperation.

“One or two landed on Zirkzee’s head but the way Man United are playing prior to tonight, it’s not the right profile of player, he doesn’t excite me at all.”

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.