Man Utd star demands to leave the club in final days of transfer window

Manchester United have made some smart moves in the summer transfer window and their business probably isn't done yet.

United will look to further back head coach Michael Carrick at the beginning of his first full season in charge, but there are players who are either surplus to requirements at Old Trafford or eyeing up the prospect of more regular first-team football elsewhere.

High on the list of potential departures is striker Joshua Zirkzee, whose time in England has failed to live up to expectations.

According to reports in Italy, the 25-year-old is pushing to go back to Serie A and has more than one possible destination in the league where he made his name.

His preferred outcome is a transfer to Turin giants Juventus.

"The Dutchman is eager to return to Italy: he has a direct line to the Juventus management," reports Corriere dello Sport.

"The Red Devils are open to loaning him out and are already evaluating alternatives in his role.

"The deal discussed between the Bianconeri and the English club is a loan with an option to buy, but the parties have also discussed an obligation: the relationship is excellent, and the option to leave isn't a problem.

"Zirkzee, who has also been scouted by Napoli, wants to join Juve and is awaiting the club's final call."

It's understood that Zirkzee's wish is linked to Juve's ability to offload Canadian striker Jonathan David after just one season in Italy.

The United centre-forward, who was developed at Bayern Munich and had a short spell on loan in Serie A before spending two years at Bologna.

In his second season, Zirkzee scored 11 goals in 34 league matches and caught the attention of the Red Devils. They parted with a reported fee in the region of £36.5 million to take him to Old Trafford, but he was quickly lost in the chaos of poor team performances and managerial upheaval.

Zirkzee scored the first goal of the 2024-25 Premier League season in United's opening match against Fulham but has only scored four league goals since.

While the Dutchman has been able to find the net on the few occasions when United played more to his strengths, he appears to be an odd man out in United's current attacking set-up.

Benjamin Sesko is expected to lead the line when he returns from a shin injury, while Marcus Rashford's return after 20 months will be the perfect supplement to Matheus Cunha on the left. Bryan Mbeumo and Amad, meanwhile, are solid options on the right.

United return to the Champions League this season and begin their Premier League campaign with an away fixture against promoted Hull City on Saturday afternoon.

Ipswich Town will visit Old Trafford in United's first home fixture at the end of August, by which time Zirkzee will expect to be playing for another club in an effort to kickstart his career.