Man Utd summer flop holds crisis talks ahead of January window

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 18 Dec 2024 10:48 GMT
• 3 min read

Joshua Zirkzee’s agent Kia Joorabchian will hold crisis talks with Manchester United this week to discuss the Dutchman’s future in January and beyond.

According to Tuttosport, Joorabchian will sit down with United directors and manager Ruben Amorim to learn of their plans for Zirkzee.

Joorabchian wants honest answers on whether Zirkzee is considered an important part of Amorim’s project going forward.

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Juventus are awaiting the outcome of the meeting and will make a move for Zirkzee if Joorabchian does not receive the answers he is looking for.

Zirkzee joined Man Utd this past summer in a €42.5 million move from Bologna.

The 23-year-old Zirkzee was one of the standout players in Serie A last season, and he was often compared to former Milan and Barcelona star Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

But he is yet to show that form at Old Trafford.

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The striker scored on his Premier League debut against Fulham but he has struggled badly since then and took months until he scored another goal.

He has remained a relatively bit-part player under Amorim. However, United also have problems to deal with regarding wantaway attacker Marcus Rashford and the equally unhappy Alejandro Garnacho. Not all of them can be allowed to leave in January.

Juventus are the favourites to sign Zirkzee on loan if he is allowed to leave as the Dutchman worked successfully with Bianconeri manager Thiago Motta at Bologna last season.

Zirkzee at Bologna

Zirkzee led Bologna to a shock qualification into this season’s Champions League under Motta.

Zirkzee delivered 12 goals and seven assists in all competitions as Bologna finished fifth in Serie A.

He was the key man for a Bologna team who performed well above their weight under Motta to qualify for the Champions League.

Standing at 6ft 4in, Zirkzee is a giant of a striker who at Bologna was expert at holding up the ball and bringing others into play.

Zirkzee went to Euro 2024 with Netherlands but barely featured under Ronald Koeman.