‘Frustrated & fed up’ – Key Man Utd star tells club he wants January exit

Joshua Zirkzee is ‘deeply frustrated’ at Manchester United and is eager to secure a move during the January transfer window, according to reports.

The club declined offers to part ways with Zirkzee over the summer, despite strong interest from Napoli, Juventus, and PSV Eindhoven.

So far this season, Zirkzee has yet to start a match, with the 24-year-old forward restricted to just four substitute appearances.

His dissatisfaction at Old Trafford has ‘escalated significantly’ in recent weeks, as noted by the Daily Mail.

Sources suggest Zirkzee is eyeing a January departure to improve his chances of making the Netherlands’ 2026 World Cup squad.

He was excluded from Ronald Koeman’s selection for the upcoming qualifiers against Malta and Finland.

Since his £36.5m transfer from Bologna in July 2024, Zirkzee has struggled to make an impact, scoring only seven times in 53 appearances.

Lee Sharpe, a former United player, recently encouraged head coach Ruben Amorim to offer Zirkzee more opportunities.

‘I think Zirkzee should be getting games,’ Sharpe told AceOdds.com. ‘I’m a big fan of Zirkzee.

‘I think he should play instead of Amad [Diallo] in the No.10 role. Or even play instead of [Benjamin] Sesko.’

TEAMtalk reports that West Ham and Everton are closely monitoring Zirkzee’s situation ahead of the winter window.

Paul Parker, another ex-United defender, believes Zirkzee will be ‘moved on’ due to his incompatibility with Amorim’s tactical approach.

‘I don’t think he can play in a dynamic team and United are heading towards being a dynamic team,’ Parker told BonusCodeBets.co.uk.

‘Zirkzee was an impact buy. Football needs to get back to managers bringing in players they want. We just see moments and think it will work.

‘It takes a certain type of player to play for Manchester United. We’re seeing more and more players who don’t get it. Zirkee will get moved on.’

Earlier this year, Amorim publicly challenged Zirkzee to elevate his game, encouraging him to be ‘more selfish’ in front of goal.

‘I think he needs to be more selfish, and that is a thing when you play as a striker,’ Amorim said.

‘He’s not a typical striker, but he has to be more selfish.’