“I want to join Wolves” – £58m striker refuses to sign a new deal offered by club…
The summer transfer window may be closed, but the rumour mill keeps churning, especially in the case of Joshua Zirkzee, a disgruntled summer signing for Manchester United. The Dutch forward, who arrived at Old Trafford for a hefty £36.5 million fee from Bologna, is already planning an exit in the January transfer window.
Zirkzee’s struggles at Old Trafford are well-documented. The 23-year-old has scored just one goal and provided no assists in 11 appearances across all competitions, making only five starts under Erik ten Hag. While it’s not unusual for players to take time to settle into a new club, Zirkzee’s early struggles have fueled speculation about his future.
Italian website Calciomercato claims that Zirkzee “wants to return” to Italy, where he previously enjoyed success with Bologna. He is reportedly concerned about the arrival of Rasmus Hojlund, the Danish striker who is recovering from a pre-season injury and is expected to challenge for a starting spot. Zirkzee is said to be “starting to regret the choice he made last summer, preferring the Red Devils to various Italian clubs and beyond”.
The report suggests that Zirkzee is open to a loan move to either Wolves or AC Milan, who are “looking for a player with his characteristics”. Wolves, under manager Gary O’Neil, are reportedly encouraged by the news that their Milanese rivals have ruled out a move for Zirkzee, despite showing interest in the summer.
While Zirkzee’s departure would be a blow for Manchester United, it’s a situation that’s not entirely unfamiliar to the club. Legendary United striker Dwight Yorke has expressed sympathy for the young forwards, stating that both Zirkzee and Hojlund are “young boys trying to do a man’s job”.
Yorke, speaking to Prime Casino, highlighted the lack of experience in United’s forward line, stating: “It’s not there, is it? It’s not there. We’ve played seven games, did our strikers even score? That tells you. Haaland has scored more goals than our strike force put together, that tells you what you need to know.”
He continued: “We’ve asked these young boys to come in and do a man’s job at United. The expectation is really high. Rasmus Hojlund, Joshua Zirkzee, these guys are unknown. At United you always had someone you could learn from. When I came in, Teddy and Cole, they’d already set the standards. There’s nobody with those standards at United right now. These players are coming in with nobody around them to learn from. Unless you bring in an established player, you’re bringing in kids to do a man’s job. They’re still in that learning process until you get to 25 or 26. Then you’ve done your apprenticeship.”
Yorke also expressed concerns about Zirkzee and Hojlund’s ability to intimidate defenders in the Premier League, adding: “Of course, there are exceptions like Haaland, but we’ve got guys still trying to find their feet at the club, let alone the Premier League. We don’t have that kind of presence up top, to threaten defenders. When we used to play, there was always a name like Van Nistelrooy, me, and Wayne Rooney. Defenders don’t look forward to that. Now we’ve got Hojlund and Zirkzee, not household names to give you sleepless nights.”
He concluded: “That’s why United are easy to play against, they don’t pose a threat like they used to. Yes, they’ve got good players. Rashford on his day is as good as anyone else. Amad, who’s a young kid coming in, has looked promising when he’s played. Antony is not producing. We’ve got a mixture of everything. We’re all hoping that these guys are going to come to the forefront, but they’re young boys, still learning.”
The situation with Zirkzee highlights the challenges facing young players transitioning to a club like Manchester United, where the pressure and expectations are immense. While Zirkzee’s move to Old Trafford was seen as a promising one, his early struggles have led to speculation about a potential return to Italy, where he previously thrived. Whether he finds success at Manchester United or elsewhere, Zirkzee’s journey serves as a reminder of the complexities and uncertainties that often accompany the transfer market, especially for young players navigating a new environment and trying to prove themselves on a grand stage.
