Third Manchester United star decides to leave and has already agreed move
Yesterday at 03:07 AM
A third Manchester United star is pushing to leave the club this month and has already ‘basic terms’ over a January move, according to reports.
Marcus Rashford revealed last month that he was ‘ready for a new challenge’, having stagnated at Old Trafford over the past two seasons.
It was reported last week that Casemiro was also keen to leave Manchester United amid interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia.
Reports in Italy say Joshua Zirkee is the third United player pushing for a move during the January transfer window following his bleak spell in the Premier League.
The Red Devils spent £36.5m to sign Zirkzee from Serie A side Bologna last summer and the Netherlands international hit the ground running, scoring on his debut in the Premier League opener against Fulham.
But Zirkzee has only scored two league goals since then, with several pundits criticising his performances for a struggling Manchester United team.
Zirkzee’s faltering United career hit a new low last week as he was subbed off after just 33 minutes during the Premier League defeat to Newcastle United.
The 23-year-old was even jeered off by some fans and headed straight down the tunnel – a decision that was widely slammed – before coming back out to sit on the bench.
As expected, Zirzkee was dropped for United’s clash against Liverpool on Sunday, though he did at least come on as a late substitute to encouraging applause and chants from the away fans.
Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport say Zirkzee is already keen to leave Manchester United as he has grown frustrated and despondent at the Theatre of Dreams.
Juventus have expressed interest in signing the forward, either permanently or on loan with an obligation to buy, and it is claimed the player’s agent Kia Joorabchian has already agreed ‘basic terms’ over the move.
United are not interested in sending Zirkzee out on loan but could agree to offload their summer signing after just six months if a suitable offers lands on the table.
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim was asked about speculation linking Zirkzee with a January move after Sunday’s draw with Liverpool and claimed he wanted the Dutchman to stay.
‘I want to keep Josh because he gives everything and he's trying in training,’ the ex-Sporting Lisbon manager told talkSPORT.
‘But we don’t know. The window is open and we will see what happens.
‘We just need to focus on training and to take this for the other games. It's just one point so let's focus on the performance for the next games.’
Manchester United had lost four games in a row before their daunting trip to Anfield but produced a much-improved performance to hold the Premier League leaders to a 2-2 draw.
Rashford missed the game through illness as he continues to be linked with a move away from his boyhood club.
Casemiro, meanwhile, was an unused substitute following a difficult night against Newcastle last time out.
Following a promising draw with Liverpool, Manchester United now turn their attentions to a FA Cup clash with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
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