Man Utd man who Lewandowski thinks is ‘amazing’ is now ‘convinced’ his future lies away from club

Joshua Zirkzee has reportedly been left ‘convinced’ that his future lies away from Manchester United after being benched on Monday.

The forward entered matchweek 15 in hopes of making his third successive start of the campaign, but was made to settle for just a six-minute cameo off the bench after Mason Mount replaced him in the starting XI.

(Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Zirkzee’s minutes for the 2025/2026 term now stand at 346 across eight appearances, and he has returned one goal contribution in that time, scoring a leveller in the win over Crystal Palace on November 30.

– Sunday, 30 November 2025

What’s more concerning for the 24-year-old is that he has been an unused option for seven whole matches, which is quite literally the last thing any player needs as we’re about to enter a World Cup year.

While there are expectations that Zirkzee will play more in the coming four weeks due to the likes of Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo departing for the African Cup of Nations, he’ll be well aware that his increased role, barring any squad injuries, is only temporary.

He earned his first starts of the season in the absence of Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha, with the latter having since been restored to the team and making his return against West Ham.

Alas, Gazzetta dello Sport are essentially claiming the Dutchman’s mind is made up: he wants to leave Old Trafford in January and join AS Roma.

Roma’s sporting director, Frederic Massara, is spearheading negotiations in hopes of bringing Zirkzee to the Stadio Olimpico , as they look to close the gap to league leaders AC Milan.

– Tuesday, 9 December 2025

Zirkzee spent two years plying his trade in Italy with Bologna before his United move in 2024, and recorded 13 goals and seven assists in 53 appearances.

Prior to that, he had worked his way through the academy ranks at Bayern Munich but had been unable to cement a starting spot.

(Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

That didn’t stop him from impressing then-teammate Robert Lewandowski, however, who said of Zirkzee last year : “ He plays amazing with his back to the goal. He can hold the ball. He can play with one or two touches or bring wingers [into the game].

“He is also a good finisher in the box. He’s big, you know, he’s young, but he’s big. And I think he can keep the ball very [well].

“You need a bit of time when you join this kind of club – a big club with huge expectations (United). For him, [the 2023/24 campaign] was the first season he was involved as a typical striker, but his time in Manchester has not been so brilliant. Of course, I hope he comes back on the right track.

“But he is a striker who can really help his teammates if you know how to use him. He is not a typical goalscoring striker.”

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