Manchester United are expected to keep Joshua Zirkzee beyond the January transfer window, despite the Dutch forward remaining on the fringes of Michael Carrick’s team.
Zirkzee is yet to start a Premier League match this season and has struggled for regular minutes. However, United are not currently seeking to move him on, with Benjamin Sesko’s fitness situation still uncertain.
The 25-year-old has appeared as a substitute in each of United’s last three matches, and Sesko’s latest setback could create an opportunity for him to take on a more significant role.
Manchester United retain faith in Joshua Zirkzee
Carrick is understood to retain faith in Zirkzee and does not want to lose him midway through the campaign. Everton and Fiorentina both explored moves for the striker on deadline day, but United concluded there was little benefit in allowing him to leave.
Zirkzee’s contract runs until 2029, leaving the club under no immediate pressure to make a decision. A January departure would also reduce Carrick’s options if Sesko’s fitness problems continue.
The forward has previously been backed by Carrick, who described him as “important” to the squad and said he could do “some really, really top things”.
Zirkzee offers a different profile from Sesko, possessing the technical ability to drop between the lines and link play. The difficulty has been converting those qualities into goals and decisive performances with sufficient consistency.
Unless a significant offer arrives, United are expected to retain him until the summer and give him further opportunities to establish himself at Old Trafford. The next few months could determine whether he can revive a career that has yet to build sustained momentum.
