Manchester United assessing striker market with Joshua Zirkzee’s summer exit looking increasingly likely | OneFootball

Manchester United are actively looking to sign a striker this summer, with Joshua Zirkzee almost guaranteed to leave the club.

The 24-year-old was out of favour under former managers Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim and has struggled to break into Michael Carrick’s plans.

Zirkzee is open to leaving, and United are planning internal meetings in the coming weeks to prepare for life without him.

The former Bologna star is expected to miss out on the Netherlands’ World Cup squad, having fallen out of favour at Man United.

He was keen to leave the Theatre of Dreams during the winter transfer window, but nothing materialised.

Zirkzee will push for a transfer in the summer, leaving Benjamin Sesko as the only recognised senior striker at the club.

The Red Devils will look to sign another player in the position as they need quality depth in attack next term.

They are just four wins away from securing European football next season and will need more than one senior number nine to compete effectively across four competitions.

United are third in the Premier League table heading into the remaining seven fixtures of the campaign. A strong end to the season will help them qualify for the Champions League.

Playing in the elite European competition will boost their chances of attracting top players to Old Trafford, and the next permanent manager will need another top striker.

Carrick has deployed Bryan Mbeumo as the number nine in recent games, with Sesko largely playing as a substitute.

Zirkzee has yet to start a game for Man United this year and was an unused substitute in their last two games. A summer departure suits both parties.