Decision made: Luckhurst — Utd star who’s played four times under Carrick ‘eyeing exit’ amid ‘plenty of interest’

In partnership with

Stretty News

·12. März 2026

Decision made: Luckhurst — Utd star who’s played four times under Carrick ‘eyeing exit’ amid ‘plenty of interest’

Joshua Zirkzee is reportedly ‘eyeing a summer exit’ away from Manchester United at the end of the season, which will see his tenure cut short after only two years.

Indeed, the forward is preparing to prematurely cut ties with United in hopes of playing a more prominent role elsewhere in Europe.

OneFootball Videos

DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL STRETTY NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES & BREAKING NEWS – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY

Joshua Zirkzee: The state of play

Samuel Luckhurst claims the player has ‘generated plenty of interest’ from Italian clubs, meaning he will have the opportunity to revive his career in familiar surroundings.

Zirkzee spent two years with Serie A outfit Bologna prior to his £36.5 million United move in 2024, and previously gained experience in the division with Parma in 2021.

He is a graduate of Bayern Munich’s academy, having committed five years of his senior career to the German giants.

In Manchester, though, he’s just never really got going.

How Zirkzee is faring as of late

The 24-year-old has struggled to ever nail down a starting spot under any manager he’s played for, and when he has been granted game time, he hasn’t contributed in the way the club or fans had hoped.

This campaign, for example, Zirkzee has returned only two goals and an assist in 18 Premier League appearances.

He is one member of the squad who’s undoubtedly felt the effects of the lack of European football and early cup exits, as well as the arrival of centre-forward Benjamin Sesko before the term got underway.

*Zirkzee’s record in all competitions for United (Transfermarkt)

It remains to be seen what kind of fee INEOS will demand for the Dutch international. He is poised to be one of a handful of attackers departing in the summer window, along with current on-loan teammates Marcus Rashford, Rasmus Hojlund and Jadon Sancho – the latter of which will be released when his contract expires in June.