Manchester United transfers: Will Ruben Amorim block Joshua Zirkzee to AS Roma January loan deal?

Irrespective of what Ruben Amorim wants, the Manchester United striker Joshu Zirkzee is hell-bent on an exit when the winter transfer window opens, reports claimed on Monday.

Serie A side AS Roma's interest in the 24-year-old Zirkzee is being highlighted by the Italian media as the accelerant for his demand. Zirkzee has already said "yes" to Roma, earlier reports had claimed, while noted football transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano had said that the Serie A team have already made a formal offer to the Red Devils for the 24-year-old. Former Bologna striker Zirkzee cost Manchester United €42.5 million (£37 million) in the summer of 2024.

As things stand, gaffer Amorim has been trying actively to ensure Zirkzee's loan deal does not happen, as he wants to keep him as a backup option for the remainder of the season, CaughtOffside said in a report. Roma is said to have offered the Netherlands international regular playing time, which is a priority for him with the FIFA World Cup fast approaching. Roma sporting director Ricky Massara and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini managed to convince him to make the switch, and the player has verbally agreed to the proposed deal, the report added. Gasperini is also known for using the 3-4-2-1 system, and Zirkzee believes he would fit in despite his recent struggles in England.

Another report had recently claimed that United were considering French team AJ Auxerre's Malian striker, Lassine Sinayoko, as a replacement for Zirkzee. Sinayoko is set to become a free agent in the summer and he may get to play second fiddle to Benjamin Sesko at Old Trafford next season, reports had said.

Amorim's United are currently without talismanic captain Bruno Fernandes, who is sidelined due to an injury, while several other first-team players were missing due to injury or Africa Cup of Nations duty.

The new-look side, in their last encounter against Newcastle United, lined up in an unusual back-four formation, but they were a match for Newcastle in an even first half, most notable for Patrick Dorgu's fine strike—his first in 38 appearances in a red jersey. However, the Red Devils were hampered by the half-time withdrawal of Mason Mount due to injury, and Newcastle dominated the early moments of the second period. The Boxing Day win helped the team climb to fifth place in the Premier League standings. They have 29 points after 18 games, with the rest of the week's games to be played on Saturday and Sunday.