Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha has made a public plea for teammate Joshua Zirkzee to stay and fight for his place at Old Trafford. This comes amid strong reports that the Dutch striker has already agreed to join Italian side Roma during the current January transfer window.
Zirkzee's Struggles and Resurgence
The future of Joshua Zirkzee has been a topic of speculation for some time. The £36.5million signing from Bologna struggled to adapt to the Premier League last season, netting just three league goals in the 2024/25 campaign. His opportunities were further limited at the start of this season under manager Ruben Amorim.
However, a combination of injuries, players departing for the Africa Cup of Nations, and patchy form elsewhere in the squad has opened the door for the 24-year-old in recent weeks. Zirkzee has seized the chance, showing promising signs with two goals in his last three starts for the Red Devils.
His impact was immediate off the bench in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Leeds United at Elland Road, providing an assist for Cunha's equaliser within just two minutes of entering the fray.
Cunha's Public Support and Amorim's View
Despite the player's apparent agreement with Roma, who are keen to offer him regular game time in a World Cup year, his teammates are urging him to stay. Speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the Leeds match, Matheus Cunha was unequivocal in his support.
‘Josh is a pleasure to play with, he has a lot of quality,’ stated the Brazilian. ‘His situation is not good but he has the quality to change it. He needs to understand this and we want to count on him. We are here to push him. After the goal last week and the assist today he will have more confidence to be with us and do his role.’
Manager Ruben Amorim also offered praise for Zirkzee's cameo, hinting he remains part of his plans. ‘I think Josh played well in the 25 minutes he had,’ Amorim said in his post-match press conference. ‘Connected very well with his teammates, and he showed he’s got a lot to give. Josh must be ready when we call on him, just like all the other players.’
Transfer Stance and Squad Dynamics
Reports indicate that Manchester United are willing to sanction Zirkzee's departure, but likely not until after the conclusion of the Africa Cup of Nations. By that stage, attacking options Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo are expected to have returned to the club, easing the selection crunch.
The draw with Leeds highlighted some of United's ongoing issues in attack. Cunha, while scoring, has only four goals this season. Benjamin Sesko continues to find form elusive, and Amorim's experimental use of left-back Patrick Dorgu in an advanced role underlined the creative shortages with Bruno Fernandes also absent.
United's next challenge is a trip to face relegation-threatened Burnley on Wednesday night, a match where squad depth will again be tested.
