Joshua Zirkzee, Manchester United’s striker, hasn’t started a single game this season, and it’s looking like his time at Old Trafford is basically over. The Dutch forward, who was supposed to blow up the Premier League when he arrived from Bologna in the summer of 2024, has completely fallen out of favor and is now just a peripheral figure on the squad.
What Went Wrong in Manchester?
When Zirkzee first hit the Theatre of Dreams, everyone expected big things. But it’s been a rough ride. He struggled to find his footing under former manager Erik ten Hag, and his situation didn’t get any better when Ruben Amorim took over. Even Michael Carrick’s arrival in January, which sparked the team back to life after a dismal first half of the season, couldn’t revive the 25-year-old striker. He’s looked totally out of place in the English top flight, getting pushed way down the pecking order, and that “yet to start a game this season” stat? That tells you everything you need to know about his standing with the club right now.
Napoli’s January Plan Takes Shape
The good news for Zirkzee, and frankly, for United, is that Napoli is circling. They were hot on his trail last summer, and even though a move didn’t happen then, reports from Area Napoli say they’re coming back hard for him in January. Sporting director Giovanni Manna is super keen to get Zirkzee back to Serie A, seeing him as the perfect player to add quality and new tactical options to Massimiliano Allegri’s side.
Napoli has already reportedly reached out to United and Zirkzee’s camp, and the Dutchman has made it clear he’s fully willing to return to Italy, a league where he actually made a name for himself playing for Bologna. United seems ready to let him leave on loan, which could help Napoli’s finances, but there’s one big hurdle: Zirkzee’s annual wages, believed to be around €4.3 million. That’s a serious chunk of change Napoli will have to figure out. Allegri, though, sees Zirkzee’s “outstanding technical ability and vision” as a perfect fit, whether as a substitute or even playing alongside Rasmus Højlund to mix up formations mid-game.
Negotiations could kick off in the first few weeks of November, but Napoli isn’t the only team in the hunt. They’re going to face competition from other major Italian clubs, including Juventus, all vying for the talented striker’s services.
So, what’s next for Zirkzee? His future hangs in the balance, and it truly feels like a fresh start somewhere else is in the best interest of everyone involved. Beyond that, his potential exit could even play a big part in United’s own plans to go after Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta in January. Keep an eye on November; that’s when this saga really heats up.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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