United Beyond Manchester

Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee is already intrigued by the idea of a return to Serie A, according to Calciomercato.

Zirkzee found the net on opening night against Fulham but has yet to make another impact in the attack. The Dutch forward possesses clear qualities, especially in transition and chance creation, but his finishing is an issue. Eleven matches with a single goal is not an acceptable record for a Manchester United striker.

Rasmus Hojlund’s return from injury has already begun eating into Zirkzee’s playing time, as the Dane provides more of a threat for the Reds. The dynamic between Hojlund and Zirkzee was always going to be interesting, and the former is Ten Hag’s clear favorite.

Juventus and other Serie A clubs are monitoring Zirkzee’s situation at United. His performances for Bologna last season have not been forgotten, and he seems a better fit for the Italian top division than the Premier League. A loan would be preferred by the Italian giants, as any full transfer would not be cheap. Zirkzee signed on at United through 2029 this summer.

Manchester United will likely need a replacement before the Dutch forward is allowed to leave Old Trafford, even if it is just a six-month loan.

After just a few months, is Joshua Zirkzee’s time at Manchester United already coming to a close?