Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is hopeful Joshua Zirkzee will stay at the club amid speculation linking him away from the club, Afrosport reports.
The Dutch forward of Nigerian heritage joined the Red Devils from Bologna off the back of winning the Serie A Young Player of the Year for the 2023-24 season.
Things have however not been smooth-running for Zirkzee at Old Trafford with just four goals and two assists in 28 competitive outings which have largely come from the bench.
It has led to suggestions that the 23-year-old is not fit for United’s style or the pace of the Premier League, with reports linking him with a loan move to Juventus to reunite with former Bologna boss Thiago Motta.
Amorim however wants to have him remain in the Red half of Manchester.
“I want to keep Josh because he gives everything and he’s trying in training but we don’t know,” the Portuguese said per the club website.
“The window is open and we will see what happens. We just need to focus on training and to take this for the other games. It’s just one point so let’s focus on the performance for the next games.”
Harry Maguire’s late chance could have won the match for @ManUtd 😫#LIVMUN pic.twitter.com/kgsSXeeeE0
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 5, 2025
Zirkzee was criticised for his decision to pass to Harry Maguire rather than shoot in added time of Sunday’s 2-2 with Liverpool, the latter missing a sitter that could have won the game for United. Amorim defended Zirkzee saying: “I think he made the right decision. He doesn’t have the perfect angle.
“He could shoot but he has the composure to pass the ball in the centre of the box for Harry to shoot.”
Man United will turn their attention to a FA Cup third round tie away at Arsenal on Sunday.
