Joshua Zirkzee’s patience appears to be wearing thin at Manchester United, as the Dutch striker grows increasingly frustrated over his lack of opportunities under Ruben Amorim.
The 24-year-old is reportedly considering a January move in search of regular football and a clearer path back into the Netherlands national team setup.
Zirkzee was once again left on the bench during United’s 2-0 win over Sunderland, marking the fourth time in seven Premier League matches this season that he failed to make an appearance.
Reason Joshua Zirkzee wants to leave United
According to the Daily Mail, Zirkzee’s minimal involvement has left him “increasingly unsettled,” especially with the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in sight. The former Bayern Munich youngster harboured hopes of impressing Ronald Koeman enough to earn a recall to the national side.
However, those ambitions have taken a hit, with Zirkzee already omitted from the Netherlands squad for the upcoming qualifiers against Malta and Finland. His absence from the international scene is fuelling his desire to find consistent playing time elsewhere.
Zirkzee attracted significant interest during the summer transfer window. Napoli were particularly keen on landing him, but United blocked the move, preferring to keep him as part of their attacking options.
Denied the chance to join the Serie A champions, Napoli instead turned to Rasmus Højlund, securing him on loan with an obligation to buy. Meanwhile, Juventus also made inquiries, and PSV Eindhoven expressed interest in bringing Zirkzee back to the Eredivisie, where he first made his name, per Tribuna.
January exit looking likely
With first-team chances at Old Trafford still limited, a January transfer is now seen as the best route for Zirkzee to revive his international ambitions and re-establish himself as a regular starter at club level.
The talented forward faces a crucial decision — stay and fight for minutes in Manchester, or seek a fresh start elsewhere where his potential won’t be confined to the substitutes’ bench.