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After last season in which Manchester United struggled to find the back of the net with any real consistency, they decided to pay more than the release clause to sign Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna.
And the start could not have been more auspicious, with the Netherlands international scoring the winner on his debut. But since then, he has spurned numerous glorious chances and he currently looks like a player shorn of confidence.
After a few laborious displays and following Rasmus Hojlund returning to the first team after a pre-season injury, Erik ten Hag has started the last three games with the Dane up top.
And following his applause-worthy display against Brentford, it is likely that the Dutch manager will stick with the former Atalanta starlet for the games to come.
Zirkzee struggling
That will do further harm to Zirkzee’s confidence with Calciomercato even going on to reveal the forward is “starting to regret” his decision to come to the Premier League instead of staying in the Serie A.
The report further highlights the 23-year-old’s wishes to leave Old Trafford as early as January but it is still not clear whether the Red Devils will agree to the player’s wishes so soon after spending big-money to land him.
Juventus remain keen on bolstering their attack with former Bologna manager Thiago Motta currently in charge of the Turin-based club and they could opt for a loan deal. AC Milan, who were also keen in the summer, seem to have moved on.
“Joshua is starting to regret the choice he made last summer, preferring the Red Devils to various Italian clubs and beyond. The English press has no doubts: right now Zirkzee is a £36M flop.
“Zirkzee would gladly return to Italy, probably as early as January. It remains to be seen whether Manchester United would be open to a loan transfer.
Open to Serie A return
“Joshua could come back into fashion for Juventus, who are looking for a player with his characteristics, while for Milan, despite the strong approval, the matter seems to have been definitively closed.”
Unless INEOS manage to cough up more money and strengthen the frontline, it makes little sense for the 20-time English league champions to let go of the Dutchman.
It was inevitable that Zirkzee would need time to adapt to his new surroundings and he seems to be more of a link-up player rather than a ruthless box finisher.
He certainly has a different profile to Hojlund and Ten Hag can use him in a variety of ways. Hopefully, he can find his feet soon and vindicate the club’s faith in him in the months to come.
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