Manchester United signed striker Joshua Zirkzee for £36.5 million to solve their goalscoring woes last summer, but he has struggled at the club.
He started brightly, scoring the only goal in the league opener against Fulham, but he has failed to live up to expectations since then.
Zirkzee has made 39 appearances across all competitions for the club, chipping in with five goals and two assists.
His only significant contribution was scoring the winning penalty in the FA Cup third-round victory over Arsenal last month.
He has already been linked with an exit from Old Trafford. Serie A club Juventus reportedly have a long-term interest in him.
Pundit Ryan Babel has reckoned that Zirkee made the wrong decision to join the Red Devils.
He told the Obi One Podcast: “When I look back at my career and analyse other players that I know, it is also essential to understand whether your quality will pop up if I join this team, not because it is Man United or Arsenal.
“I have seen so many players that were stars, then joined another team and stamped a flop, but not because they cannot play football. It is because they don’t suit the system.
“I feel like many players go for the sake of joining a big team, but then it jeopardises your career.”
United should not be desperate to sell Zirkee this summer
Man United need to dispose of players to adequately reinforce next summer, and Zirkee might be one of the players to be sold.
They will also likely sell Marcus Rashford, Antony and Casemiro and allow Victor Lindelof, Christian Eriksen and Jonny Evans to leave for free.
Replacing these players in one transfer window will be challenging and could have financial implications.
The club could keep Zirkee for at least one more season, allowing him to show his worth before making a decision on his future.
He has shown that he can excel as the number 10 in manager Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system. He could become a key player under the Portuguese tactician.
Stats from transfermarkt.com.
