Dutch football icon Ruud Gullit has publicly advised Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee to engineer a departure from Old Trafford before the January transfer window slams shut.
Zirkzee's Frustrating Spell at United
The 24-year-old forward, who joined United from Bologna for £37 million in the summer of 2024, has endured a difficult and fragmented season. He did not start any of the club's first 11 Premier League matches, only returning to the line-up due to injuries to Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha.
That brief recall saw him start against Everton, Crystal Palace, and West Ham United, but his stint was short-lived. Zirkzee has now failed to start any of United's last eight games. The situation is unlikely to improve, with competition for attacking places intensifying following the returns of Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo from the Africa Cup of Nations.
World Cup Dreams Driving Exit Desire
Zirkzee's primary motivation for seeking a move is securing regular first-team football to force his way into the Netherlands squad for this summer's World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States. His goal return has hampered his cause at United; he managed just seven goals and three assists last season and has found the net only twice in the current campaign.
Roma held talks with the player earlier this month, but United's sporting director Frederic Massara revealed last week that all proposed deals were called off following the departure of manager Ruben Amorim. Michael Carrick is now in interim charge until a permanent boss is appointed in the summer.
Gullit's Blunt Assessment and Serie A Hope
Gullit, who has long doubted the wisdom of Zirkzee's move to Manchester, believes the striker erred in leaving Serie A. He pointed to the remarkable resurgence of Scott McTominay at Napoli as a blueprint for what Zirkzee could achieve back in Italy.
"I saw that Roma maybe wanted to take him and I hope that he will leave," Gullit told Metro via FootItalia. "For me, there was always a doubt that it was the right decision to go to Manchester United. I think he should have stayed in Serie A... For him it would have been much better."
The former Ballon d'Or winner was scathing about the environment at United, adding: "Manchester United have to figure out what that vibe is there, because something is wrong there. The energy is not good, it doesn’t feel good at all."
With the January window entering its final days, Zirkzee faces a critical decision. A move to a "better team in Italy," as Gullit suggests, could be his last chance to revive his club form and book a ticket to the World Cup.
