Man United star ‘demands’ January exit – Report | OneFootball

Zirkzee Agitation Grows Amid Manchester United Stalemate

Frustration Mounts Over Lack of Minutes

TEAMtalk’s recent report has cast fresh light on a growing saga at Old Trafford, one that raises uncomfortable questions about squad planning and player management. Joshua Zirkzee, the 24-year-old forward whose signing once looked like a smart depth addition, now finds himself at a crossroads. The Dutchman has featured for just 82 minutes across all competitions this season. He has not started a single match and has been left as an unused substitute four times.

It is little wonder that, according to TEAMtalk, he “wants to ‘leave as soon as possible’ and is so desperate to jump ship, he’ll even accept a loan move in January.” That line alone summarises the current mood. A player who was brought to challenge for minutes now feels frozen out to such an extent that any opportunity, almost anywhere, is preferable to another week of watching from the bench.

Selection Hierarchy Leaves Zirkzee Sidelined

The reality is that Ruben Amorim’s preferred front three appears set in stone. Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko have emerged as his go-to combination, supported by Bruno Fernandes operating in a deeper midfield role. That leaves Mason Mount and Amad Diallo rotating into attacking positions, while Zirkzee lingers in limbo.

Photo IMAGO

The Daily Mail previously claimed he “wants out” after being left “bewildered at why his stock has dropped so suddenly and alarmingly.” Gazzetta dello Sport has since escalated the situation, reporting that he has “already made a decision.” With Roma now circling and open to loan additions from the Premier League, the likelihood of movement in January grows stronger.

World Cup Pressure and Sparse Fixture List Accelerate Push

Why leave when United are short on proven centre-forward depth? TEAMtalk make a compelling case. Firstly, it is a World Cup year and Zirkzee has already been omitted from the Netherlands squad for the current international break. With no European football to stretch United’s schedule and with the club already dumped out of the League Cup, opportunities will be scarce. Amorim is unlikely to rotate heavily once the FA Cup begins, meaning Zirkzee’s situation could actually worsen, not improve.

A player in his mid-twenties cannot afford to let a season slip away in silence. If a loan to Serie A reignites his form, he not only increases his transfer value but also protects his international prospects. TEAMtalk also note that United are expected to revisit the striker market in 2026, casting further doubt on his long-term future.

Photo: IMAGO

Sensible Timing For All Parties

In most seasons, allowing your only natural backup to Sesko to depart midway through the campaign would be considered reckless. Yet this is not most seasons. United are fighting on only two fronts and Amorim has shown he trusts his tactical structure more than sheer squad numbers. Letting Zirkzee go now may actually preserve harmony rather than disrupt it.

As TEAMtalk put it bluntly, “If there was ever a season where Man Utd can leave themselves slightly short on numbers it’s this one.” That logic is difficult to dismiss.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

For Manchester United supporters, there is a split in opinion on Joshua Zirkzee. Some sympathise with his frustration, acknowledging that no footballer can thrive without rhythm or trust. Others argue that standards at United demand more than patience, they demand resilience. If he is truly determined to leave “as soon as possible,” as quoted, then perhaps he was not built for the pressure in the first place.

At the same time, fans cannot ignore the peculiar handling of his integration. When you pay over £30m for a striker, you expect at least one opportunity to prove his worth. If Amorim never intended to use him, why sign him? The confusion over squad planning is what frustrates many. In previous eras, a hungry forward like Zirkzee would be thrown into an FA Cup tie or a league fixture against weaker opposition just to gauge potential. Instead, he has become a ghost in plain sight.

Supporters ultimately want clarity. If Amorim sees no future for him, then a January loan makes sense for everyone. Better that he plays elsewhere than take up a bench seat without purpose. Should he thrive in Italy, United can profit or reassess. If he struggles, then his exit becomes easier to justify. Either way, his fate should be determined on the pitch, not on the team sheet graphic.