Joshua Zirkzee offered escape from Man Utd nightmare - but Marcus Rashford issue remains
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Manchester United flop Joshua Zirkzee is a shock New Year target for Italian giants Juventus. Zirkzee, 23, hit rock bottom on Monday night when he was hauled off after just 32 minutes with United 2-0 down and heading towards a chastening defeat at the hands of Newcastle. Juve were already tracking the Dutchman with a view to taking him back to serie A when the transfer window opens tomorrow even before his Old Trafford humiliation.
The Turin club want to sign Zirkzee on-loan for the rest of the season - although United may insist that the deal would have to include an obligation to buy. The chance for the forward to link up again with his former Bologna coach Thiago Motta at Juve will be hugely tempting.
Juventus are off the pace in the title race, falling nine points behind leaders Atalanta - despite being unbeaten in their first 18 games of the campaign. But they are involved in the Champions League. Zirkzee excelled under Motta at Bologna after arriving at the Italian club from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2022. His form prompted United to pay £36.5million for his services in the summer.
But after scoring the winner on his Premier League debut against Fulham, Zirkzee has only added three more goals to his tally in 26 further appearances. Should Man United sell Zirkzee in January? Share your thoughts in the comments below. United boss Ruben Amorim’s decision to start him against Newcastle backfired so badly that the home fans cheered when the striker’s number came up with virtually an hour still to play. Zirkzee was close to tears when he made his way to the dressing room.
