INEOS signing must leave Man Utd if Carrick doesn’t start him in Hull – Opinion

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Utd Report

·21 August 2026

INEOS signing must leave Man Utd if Carrick doesn’t start him in Hull – Opinion

A snub in Hull should serve as the last straw for Joshua Zirkzee, who would then have to request a departure from Manchester United.

In the summer of 2024, the 25-year-old became the first player to join the Red Devils under the management of co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS group.

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At the time, the Premier League giants spent £36.5 million to buy the Dutchman from Bologna and put him at the disposal of his compatriot, Erik ten Hag.

Joshua Zirkzee could be snubbed again as Man Utd take on Hull City

Sadly for Zirkzee, his collaboration with Ten Hag proved short-lived as the latter was sacked in October 2024. Afterwards, he endured mostly rough times under Ruben Amorim, who at times criticised him for his tendency to roam all over the pitch rather than acting as a proper target man.

With Michael Carrick in charge, the Netherlands internaitonal is finding even less space.

Curiously, Zirkzee was one of the club’s best performers in the first few pre-season friendlies, only to be dropped from the starting lineup when World Cup participants gradually returned from their summer vacations, especially Amad Diallo, Matheus Cunha, and Bruno Fernandes.

Therefore, all signs suggest that, despite Benjamin Sesko’s continued absence, Zirkzee won’t be in the starting XI when Man Utd kick-start their Premier League campaign against Hull City on Saturday (12:30 UK time).

Time for Zirkzee to take a hint and find a new club

In theory, Zirkzee’s unconventional style should complement Sesko’s. But if the Dutchman isn’t given a starting role even when the Slovenian is missing, then what’s the point of keeping him in the squad?

Moreover, the former Bologna star, who has a full pre-season in his legs (and a positive one), is being overlooked in favour of others, who have only returned to full training in recent weeks.

Luckily for Zirkzee, he remains a popular figure in Italy, with Juventus and Napoli both keen to sign him before the end of the summer.

Hence, if Carrick decides to keep him by his side in the dugout tomorrow, Zirkzee should heed the writing on the wall and ask the management and his agents to take all necessary steps to find him a new home, as another season on the bench would be brutal for his career path.