Man Utd star ‘wants to leave club and reunite with former boss’ after being singled-out for criticism by Ruben Amorim
MANCHESTER UNITED flop Joshua Zirkzee reportedly wants to QUIT his new club for a reunion with old boss Thiago Motta at Juventus.
Zirkzee, 23, has netted just one goal in 18 appearances following a £36.5million summer move from Bologna.
The Dutch striker failed to nail down a spot in United’s starting XI under either Erik ten Hag, Ruud van Nistelrooy, with new manager Ruben Amorim also unimpressed after a verbal blast last week.
And La Gazzetta claims Zirkzee is already eyeing a return to Italy in January.
Before his move to Old Trafford, the forward netted 14 goals in 53 games at Bologna.
Despite not being particularly prolific, Zirkzee established himself as a key player due to his link-up play and last season he helped Bologna qualify for the Champions League.
Zirkzee’s manager during his two years at the club was former Barcelona, Inter Milan and PSG midfielder Motta.
He is now gaffer at Serie A giants Juventus.
And it’s reckoned Zirkzee is desperate to join Motta in Turin next year.
Juventus would also like to strike a deal after remaining the only unbeaten side in Italy’s top flight.
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They are hoping United will agree to let Zirzkee join them on loan for the remainder of the season.
And the two clubs could then sit down next summer to negotiate a fee for a permanent move.
However, United would likely need to sign a replacement before green-lighting the deal.
The Red Devils’ recent business has been heavily influenced by PSR and FFP constraints.
And United would likely only be able to afford a temporary striker themselves – a rare commodity in the common market.
But new manager Amorim has been less than impressed with the striker and could use it as an opportunity to bring in his own man.
Speaking after his first match in the dugout, a 1-1 draw with Ipswich, Amorim criticised Zirzkee for failing to understand the basic nature of his role as a No9.
Amorim said: “I think that (decision making) is a concern, you don’t need to coach them at this level.
“You have to keep the ball and know the momentum to put the ball in front. Sometimes you feel that you can’t keep the ball and you have to put the ball in front.
“Then you have like we are in the end of the game, we were around the box with two strikers. Josh has to understand that he has to go to the box to have the crosses.”
Ten Hag's Man Utd signings
The Dutchman has brought in 21 players since moving to Old Trafford in 2022
2022-23:
Antony, (Ajax) £86m
Casemiro, (Real Madrid) £70m
Lisandro Martinez, (Ajax) £46m
Tyrell Malacia, (Feyenoord) £13m
Christian Eriksen, (Brentford) free
Martin Dubravka, (Newcastle) loan
Wout Weghorst, (Burnley) loan
Jack Butland, (Crystal Palace) loan
Marcel Sabitzer, (Bayern Munich) loan
2023-24:
Rasmus Hojlund, (Atalanta) £72m
Mason Mount, (Chelsea) £60m
Andre Onana, (Inter Milan) £47m
Sofyan Amrabat, (Fiorentina) loan
Altay Bayindir, (Fenerbahce) £4.3m
Jonny Evans, (Leicester) free
Sergio Reguilon, (Tottenham) loan
2024-25:
Leny Yoro, (Lille) £52m
Manuel Ugarte, (Paris Saint-Germain) £50m
Matthijs de Ligt, (Bayern Munich) £45m
Joshua Zirkee, (Bologna) £36.5m
Noussair Mazraoui, (Bayern Munich) £12.8m