Dutch legend Ruud Gullit has urged Joshua Zirkzee to return to Italy when the January transfer window reopens, insisting the forward made ‘the wrong decision’ joining Manchester United.
Zirkzee has not started a single Premier League match for United this term, managing just 82 minutes across four substitute appearances.
The 24-year-old arrived at Old Trafford from Bologna in the summer of 2024 for a fee of £36.5million, scoring just seven times in his debut season.
With Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, and Matheus Cunha ahead of him in Ruben Amorim’s pecking order, Zirkzee’s lack of minutes has left him considering his options, open to leaving Manchester on loan when the transfer window reopens in January.
Several players who have left United in the last year have rediscovered form away from Old Trafford, with Scott McTominay an instant hit in Italy with Napoli last season, and Rasmus Hojlund also showing early promise.
Roma have emerged as one possible destination for Zirkzee ahead of the January window, with the former Bayern Munich youngster desperate to play regularly to ensure he is part of the Netherlands squad at next summer’s World Cup.
While there may be more opportunities at United in January with Mbeumo and Amad Diallo away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, former Netherlands star Gullit believes Zirkzee is also best served returning to Italy.
‘I think from my point of view that he should have stayed in Italy, because he was really striving. He was really doing well at Bologna, and I was hoping that he would go to Milan. I think that as soon as he went to Manchester United, it was the wrong decision.
‘I mean, for a lot of players, moving to Manchester United has been the wrong decision. And whoever leaves them, plays well everywhere around Europe. I just hope that there’s a solution for him.
‘Go back to Italy on loan if you can. Just play football. He’s a good player. But at the moment, it’s difficult at Manchester United. They found a little form in the past couple of weeks, and I hope for Manchester United that they continue that. Because a good Manchester United is good for the Premier League as well.’
No European football coupled with an embarrassingly early exit from the Carabao Cup means United are on a much lighter fixture schedule this season with opportunities for those not in Amorim’s regular starting XI scarce.
The same fate has befallen Kobbie Mainoo, who is another yet to start a Premier League match this season.
Mainoo asked to leave United on loan before the summer transfer window closed, with Napoli eager to sign the England international in the New Year.
While Amorim insists he understands their frustrations, the United boss has suggested he is eager to keep both Mainoo and Zirkzee at the club.
‘There’s a World Cup. There are agents that listen to the players talking all the time,’ Amorim said.
‘So, I understand that, but they are our players, and we need everyone to have a good season.’
Rt_quane
0
If a player is not good enough he should be benched!!. That's it.
Rt_quane
0
These idiots calling themselves United fans are useless. When a player has a bad game they blame Amorin for playing him. When he benches the player they still blame him for not playing the players they once rejected. Bro the fans of this club are too toxic !
Rt_quane
0
most of Manchester United fans lack the truth believing they love the club. with zero tactical game and struggling win everytime, Joshua and kobbie need to move out of the club bcuz the coach is very biased, selfish and arrogant. he mostly select players by choice not by performance bcuz I've not seen any improvement in cuna playing fancy football Dalot and dorgu playing rugby 🏉 saying is footballers and still call that a team work when you have better options and still sideline them bcuz of stupidity and sentiment.
dump f#ck. name the better options. You just talk based on emotions. Zirkzee and Mainoo are not that good to be starters
cuhabdilnr
1
Mainoo and Zirkzee stay at Manchester United you can go back to Portugal
Honabeiklr
0
most of Manchester United fans lack the truth believing they love the club. with zero tactical game and struggling win everytime, Joshua and kobbie need to move out of the club bcuz the coach is very biased, selfish and arrogant. he mostly select players by choice not by performance bcuz I've not seen any improvement in cuna playing fancy football Dalot and dorgu playing rugby 🏉 saying is footballers and still call that a team work when you have better options and still sideline them bcuz of stupidity and sentiment.
IAmShakur
0
He should go back to Bologna, they perform better than Utd and at least he gets to play in a team that is competing for a European spot.
IAmShakur
0
Always trying to make a name for yourself talking about United issues,stupid go to hell leave our team alone
he doesn't need to make a name for himself, if you don't know who this guy is then you can't be taken seriously.
HUnited
2
The truth should be told — Mr. Gullit makes complete sense. The treatment Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo are receiving isn’t right at all. I think both players need to move elsewhere if they want to secure a place in next year’s World Cup. Look at the Nottingham Forest game recently — we needed that win! Some of the players up front were clearly tired, and we needed fresh energy, but he refused to put them on the pitch, almost as if we’re playing Champions League football. It’s obvious he doesn’t trust them, and for that reason, I believe they need to move on.
HUnited
1
complete sense. The treatment Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo are receiving isn’t right at all. I think both players need to move elsewhere if they want to secure a place in next year’s World Cup. Look at the Nottingham Forest game recently — we needed that win! Some of the players up front were clearly tired, and we needed fresh energy, but he refused to put them on the pitch, almost as if we’re playing Champions League football. It’s obvious he doesn’t trust them, and for that reason, I believe they need to move on.
rubaclopry
1
You talk too much
Maubcptuyz
0
Always trying to make a name for yourself talking about United issues,stupid go to hell leave our team alone
isofadaik87
0
Josh goes nowhere I repeat, nowhere