Zirkzee Makes It Clear He Wants Out as January Exit Looms

Joshua Zirkzee has finally “made it clear.” The Manchester United striker, who arrived with high hopes and even higher expectations last summer, has now set his sights on an Old Trafford exit as early as January. And not only does the Dutchman want to leave — he has already decided which club he wants to join next. For a player who once looked like one of Europe’s most intriguing young forwards, his situation at United has spiraled into frustration, limited opportunities, and a growing urgency to revive his career ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

His desire to find a new home is shaped by more than simple ambition. It’s rooted in a harsh reality: game time has been scarce, goals have dried up, and the spotlight he hoped to shine in has instead been cast on others. With the season already four months in, Zirkzee’s time on the pitch has amounted to little more than 90 minutes. For a 23-year-old desperate to break into Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands squad, this simply isn’t sustainable.

Zirkzee Devoid of Playing Time at Manchester United

When Manchester United brought Zirkzee in from Bologna under Erik ten Hag, the expectation was clear: he would be part of the new-look attack and compete seriously for the No. 9 role. Instead, the Dutch forward has seen his United career stall almost immediately. Even after Ten Hag’s departure and the arrival of Ruben Amorim, the pattern remained worryingly similar — a few cameo appearances, a couple of early-season opportunities, and then a rapid slide down the pecking order.

Last season’s numbers told part of the story. Zirkzee scored only three goals in 32 Premier League appearances, with most of those appearances coming from the bench. In the Europa League, he added two goals in 11 games — respectable, but not enough to cement his place in the starting lineup. This season has been even more brutal. Between Premier League outings and the embarrassing Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby Town, Zirkzee has played just 90 minutes across five appearances. In that time, Amorim has consistently preferred the likes of Mason Mount, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Sesko—even though none of them are traditional centre-forwards.

Whether it’s tactical fit, form, or simply trust, the conclusion is hard to avoid: Zirkzee has not convinced Amorim he can lead the line.

Zirkzee Decides on Ideal Next Club

Newcastle United FC v Manchester United FC – Premier League

Given the lack of opportunities, it’s no surprise that Zirkzee has turned his attention elsewhere — and according to reports from Sport Witness via Corriere dello Sport, he has identified exactly where he wants to go: Roma.

The appeal of the Italian capital is obvious. His earlier spell in Serie A with Bologna was the highlight of his career so far. In 58 appearances, he produced 14 goals and nine assists, playing with confidence, fluency, and the kind of flair he’s struggled to rediscover in England. Serie A suits his style — technical, tactical, and patient in the build-up — and he knows he can thrive there again.

Roma, meanwhile, are in need of fresh attacking ideas. Their current striker pairing of Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson has struggled to impress, leaving Gian Piero Gasperini searching for someone who can offer a different dimension. Gasperini’s reputation for developing young attackers is well known, and it’s a key factor driving Zirkzee’s decision. For a forward trying to rebuild confidence and form, working under a manager with a proven track record of nurturing attacking talent is a persuasive selling point.

There’s also the matter of the World Cup. Zirkzee knows he needs to play — consistently, and well — if he wants any chance of cracking Ronald Koeman’s squad. Roma are willing to give him that chance. Manchester United aren’t. The choice becomes fairly straightforward.

Did Zirkzee Fail to Impress Ruben Amorim?

The relationship between Zirkzee and Amorim is complicated. On one hand, Amorim has publicly praised aspects of the striker’s game. Back in April — just six months into his tenure — he outlined what he wanted to see from the former Bologna man: more selfishness, more aggression, more presence in the box.

“He’s improving in a lot of aspects,” Amorim said at the time. “I think he needs to be more selfish, and that’s a thing when you play as a striker. He’s not a typical striker, but he has to be more selfish.”

Amorim even defended Zirkzee’s versatility, saying he performed well as a striker against Arsenal and functioned effectively as a No. 10 in certain matches, such as the fixture against Real Sociedad. At that stage, the manager seemed to believe Zirkzee was heading in the right direction.

But football can be unforgiving. Shortly after scoring a late goal against Lyon in the Europa League — a match United ultimately drew due to a last-minute equaliser — Zirkzee suffered a thigh injury that sidelined him for weeks. By the time he returned for the Europa League final against Tottenham, United had shifted direction, Amorim had reshuffled his attacking hierarchy, and Zirkzee’s momentum had vanished.

The Portuguese coach’s persistent overlooking of the Dutchman suggests that performance issues — whether in training, in games, or both — have contributed to his fall from favour. And when competition for places is as fierce as it is at Manchester United, even one small dip can snowball into a season-long struggle.

Can Zirkzee Earn Another Start Before January?

Real Sociedad de Futbol v Manchester United – UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Round of 16 First Leg

There may still be one final chapter to Zirkzee’s Manchester United story — however brief. With the club facing a reduced fixture list and Benjamin Sesko potentially out injured, Amorim might have no choice but to turn to the Dutch striker before the January window opens.

United return to Premier League action on November 24 against Everton, and with no European commitments remaining, every game becomes a chance for fringe players to prove themselves. Whether Amorim gives Zirkzee his second start of the season remains to be seen. It may depend on tactics, injuries, or even simple necessity.

But regardless of whether he gets that opportunity, the writing feels firmly on the wall. Joshua Zirkzee wants out. He has made it clear. Roma are waiting, Serie A is calling, and the World Cup is on the horizon.

For a player whose talent once made him one of Europe’s brightest young prospects, the next move could be career-defining. And this time, unlike his spell at Old Trafford, he wants to be the one in control of the story.