Man Utd Star May Have Played Final Game After Missing Out on Squad vs Man City

A Manchester United player was left out of Michael Carrick’s squad ahead of the Manchester derby against Manchester City on Saturday (January 17) and may have played his final game for the club.

A who’s who of United legends, including Sir Alex Ferguson and Nemanja Vidic, were in attendance for Carrick’s first game as head coach of the Red Devils following Ruben Amorim’s recent sacking.

The English head coach opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation with Kobbie Mainoo starting the game, which will have no doubt pleased the Old Trafford faithful.

Meanwhile, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko dropped to the bench with Bryan Mbeumo leading the line, supported by Amad, Bruno Fernandes, and Patrick Dorgu in attack.

However, if reports are accurate, another player may have played his final game for United.

Michael Carrick took charge of Man Utd against Man City (Credit:Getty)

Joshua Zirkzee was not named in the matchday squad for the City clash despite featuring as a substitute in last Sunday’s (January 11) 2-1 defeat against Brighton, which saw United exit the FA Cup at the third-round stage.

Zirkzee, who arrived from Bologna for a fee of £36.5 million in July 2024, was previously linked with a move away in the summer of 2025, with AS Roma mooted as a possible destination.

However, no such move materialised and he remained at United.

But so far this season, the Netherlands international has failed to make a lasting positive impact, scoring just twice in 16 appearances.

Ahead of kick-off of the Manchester derby, ESPN’s Rob Dawson explained that “Joshua Zirkzee [is] not in the squad today after picking up a knock in training, according to United. More talk in Italy that there’s still a chance he could move this month”.

Meanwhile, Dutch journalist Joost Blaauwhof also suggested that Zirkzee “may have already played his last game at Old Trafford” before explaining how the Dutchman “would love to join AS Roma”.

Joshua Zirkzee is linked with an Old Trafford exit (Credit:Getty)

Roma are currently fifth in Serie A but trail league leaders Inter by just seven points. If he were to join Roma, Zirkzee would likely compete with Artem Dovbyk, Brighton loanee Evan Ferguson, Paulo Dybala, and January signing Donyell Malen for a starting spot in Gian Piero Gasperini’s side.

The 24-year-old is contracted to United until June of 2029 and reportedly earns around £130,000 per week, according to Capology.