Erik ten Hag facing new transfer embarrassment with Man Utd star offered rapid escape route

Manchester United signed Joshua Zirkzee in the summer transfer window but the Dutch forward has scored just once in 11 matches for the Red Devils this season and has been linked with a move

Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee is already being linked with a move back to Italy just months after completing his move to Old Trafford.

Zirkzee joined United from Bologna in a record £36.5million deal for the Serie A side, though Riccardo Calafiori’s transfer to Arsenal would surpass it a month later. The Dutchman looked set to hit the ground running as he became a Premier League supersub when he scored the winning goal for the Red Devils against Fulham.

The ex-Bayern Munich ace has yet to add to his tally in 10 other appearances for Erik ten Hag’s side however. Despite those struggles the 23-year-old did say last month that he believed he was feeling increasingly settled at the club.

“I think that because I’ve been playing, I’m feeling a bit more at home on the pitch as well,” he said in September. “I understand the guys more and I don’t feel new anymore!”

Speculation has already started over Zirkzee’s future however. Juventus and AC Milan were both linked to signing the striker in the summer but were beaten to his signature by United.

Milan were reluctant to pay a sizeable commission to agent Kia Joorabchian at that time. Juventus however, are reported by Calciomercato, per Sport Witness, to retain an interest in Zirkzee.

The Turn side appointed ex-Bologna boss Thiago Motta in the summer and the former Barcelona midfielder worked with Zirkzee in the Emilia-Romagna region. It is said that move could be struck ‘perhaps as early as January’.

A loan has been touted, with Zirkzee signing a contract at Old Trafford until June 2029 with the option to extend for a further year, in July. Any permanent deal would not come cheap.

Ex-United striker Louis Saha believes Zirkzee needs a world class talent of Ruud van Nistelrooy’s ilk to truly continue his growth in Manchester. The Frenchman reckons both Zirkzee and fellow forward Rasmus Hojlund have potential to take advantage of.

“These players are in a bracket where they have lots of potential but are not the finished product yet,” said ex-Fulham star Saha. “We know that Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee can potentially score 25 goals in a season, they haven’t done it yet, they’re still learning.

“They have plenty of talent but should be developing their skills playing with Ruud van Nistlerooy rather than just being coached by him.”

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