Joshua Zirkzee Manchester United transfer claim as Ruben Amorim faces January decision

Joshua Zirkzee was back in the starting line up and back in the goals for Manchester United over the weekend, but that hasn’t stopped talk over his future at the club.

The striker played the full 90 minutes and scored a brace in Sunday’s 4-0 win over Everton. The goals were the forward’s first since his opening day strike against Fulham back in August.

The 23-year-old has mainly been used as a substitute in the Premier League, and his lack of starts and goals has led to reports that he could leave the club in January, just six months after his arrival at Old Trafford. MEN Sport reported last month that there were some serious doubts over Zirkzee by some senior figures at Old Trafford.

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United are expected to move for a striker in the summer transfer window, having struggled for goals in the Premier League before the win over Everton. That could mean that one of the club’s current forwards may have to move on.

Italian outlet La Stampa have previously claimed that Zirkzee is seriously considering leaving United and is reported to prefer a move back to Serie A. Juventus, who are now managed by former Bologna boss Thiago Motta have been credited with an interest.

Zirkzee’s brace against United could however impact any decision. Having only arrived at the club a couple of weeks ago. Ruben Amorim has just a few more weeks to assess his squad before the January transfer window opens.

If between now and then, Zirkzee can replicate his performance and goalscoring from the Everton game, then Amorim is likely to want to keep him at the club. That could mean that he opts not to bring in a new striker in January, or could look to move on another member of the squad.