Man Utd Player Makes Swift Transfer U-Turn After Crystal Palace Game
A week is a long time in football; just ask Joshua Zirkzee.
Ahead of last weekend's Premier League clash between Manchester United and Crystal Palace, it was widely reported that AS Roma were ramping up their pursuit of the out-of-favour forward.
Zirkzee, who joined United from Bologna in 2024 for around £36 million, has been left frustrated by a lack of first-team minutes under Ruben Amorim.
In fact, Roma were said to be preparing a loan deal with an obligation to buy, according to GOAL, while Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport claimed Zirkzee had already given his approval to join the Italian outfit.
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However, after being given a rare Premier League start in their clash against Palace on Sunday, the 24-year-old repaid Amorim's faith with a goal. Zirkzee expressed his delight after the full-time whistle.
“It’s one of the biggest clubs in the world, and you have to perform, so if you don’t score for a long time, then it can get to you,” he told TNT Sports.
“But I’m surrounded by great players, great people, and we help each other every day, and they made it quite easy for me. Today is just a reward I think for patience, hard work and trying to be consistent."
Zirkzee added: "I’m just thankful to the manager as well, staff, everyone. A good environment.”
Roma, meanwhile, have seemingly cooled their interest in the player, with a report from Caught Offside claiming the club's hierarchy are questioning whether Zirkzee is motivated enough to push for a January transfer.
Gian Piero Gasperini and sporting director Frederic Massara are said to be reconsidering their plans, which feature Tottenham striker Mathys Tel.
Ruben Amorim, meanwhile, was full of praise for Zirkzee after his goalscoring efforts on Sunday. “It’s so important for the strikers to score goals. He’s not playing many minutes but the way he responds in the second-half is so important," he said.
"It is more important than just the goals. Again, the small details, win the first ball so we can win the second ball, the connection, that is so important for our game. And the goal is really important for us and for him.”
Former Man United chief scout has his say on Joshua Zirkzee future
Mick Brown, who worked at United for over a decade, believes Zirkzee will stay around for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
“United definitely don’t want to sell Zirkzee in January,” he told Football Insider. “He’s better than his goalscoring record suggests, because he puts himself about, he’s strong physically, and he’s got a good aggression about his game.
“That goal against Palace will do him a world of good in front of goal. The manager will have been impressed by what he saw, because he needs him to step up and take his chances over the next few weeks.
“With Sesko injured and AFCON coming up, there’s going to be chances for him to show what he can do, and that’s part of the reason they won’t let him go."
“He’s still a big part of the squad and has a big role to play, and as I say, that goal against Crystal Palace hopefully will allow him to put together a good run of form," added Brown.
Topics: Man Utd, Premier League, Ruben Amorim
Jack Kenmare