Joshua Zirkzee is determined to remain at Manchester United until the end of the season, despite slipping further down the club’s attacking pecking order.
The Dutch forward has recently been linked with a return to Italy, with Roma monitoring his situation ahead of the January transfer deadline. However, the 24-year-old has made it clear that he wants to stay at Old Trafford and fight for his place.
Manchester United are understood to be unwilling to sanction exits for senior players during the winter window, and Zirkzee’s representatives have been informed that a mid-season move is not on the table.
Zirkzee has missed United’s last two matches due to injury but returned to training this week and could be included in the squad for Sunday’s Premier League clash against Fulham.
When asked about the striker’s future, head coach Michael Carrick played down any speculation, insisting the focus is solely on Zirkzee regaining full fitness and reintegrating with the squad.
United signed Zirkzee from Bologna for £36.5 million in the summer of 2024, but his impact has been limited. He has scored just two Premier League goals in the past year and has made only four league starts this season.
Interestingly, United’s strongest recent performances have come without a traditional centre-forward. Summer signing Benjamin Šeško has often started on the bench, while Bryan Mbeumo has led the line under Carrick, scoring in both of the new manager’s opening matches.
Zirkzee, who was initially recruited as an alternative No.9 option, appears more comfortable operating in a deeper attacking role, which has further complicated his path to regular minutes.
With United expected to pursue a specialist striker in the summer transfer window, the likelihood remains that Zirkzee’s long-term future lies away from Old Trafford — but for now, he is staying put.