Zirkzee has been advised to leave Manchester United in January to save his career.

A loan deal in January — that's the advice for Joshua Zirkzee as the 24-year-old striker continues to fall out of favor at Man United. According to former assistant coach Rene Meulensteen, a destination like AS Roma could provide the necessary playing time for Zirkzee to keep his hopes of participating in the 2026 World Cup with the Netherlands national team alive.

From £36.5 million to a handful of playing time.

Joining Man United from Bologna in the summer of 2024 for £36.5 million, Zirkzee was expected to be the perfect addition to the attack. But English football is a different story. His first season at Old Trafford ended with 7 goals in 49 games — a figure reflecting inconsistency and criticism of his lack of decisiveness in front of goal.

The doubts peaked in the 0-2 defeat against Newcastle, when Zirkzee was substituted after just 32 minutes. That moment became symbolic of a striker who had yet to find his rhythm and a clear role in a high-pressure environment.

2025/26 season: injuries and opportunities are scarce.

Entering the following season, a persistent injury meant Zirkzee missed much of the pre-season. Although he did return, he only played 11 minutes in the win against Brighton — his only appearance in October. Meanwhile, Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo were all in top form, effectively closing the door on Zirkzee's first-team prospects.

Advice from Meulensteen: Leave to play football.

According to Rene Meulensteen, the best solution right now is to leave Man United on loan: “At this age, Zirkzee needs regular playing time if he wants to return to the Netherlands national team for the World Cup. A club like AS Roma would be an ideal destination. In Serie A, he has more time to handle the ball, which suits his style.”

The message here is clear: playing regularly is more important than waiting for rare opportunities. For a striker who prefers finesse, an environment that allows for more touches and space can be the springboard to rekindle their inspiration.

Amorim admitted to the pressure and empathized with his students.

Coach Ruben Amorim also acknowledged that frustration is inevitable: “It’s normal for players to want to play, especially with the World Cup approaching. We need everyone, but at Man United, everything is always exaggerated and creates a lot of pressure.”

His statement shows that the coaching staff understands Zirkzee's desire to play, but the reality is that competition and immediate results remain the harsh standards at this club.

Why might Serie A be a better fit for Zirkzee?

The suggestion of AS Roma wasn't just a name. In Meulensteen's view, Serie A offers "more ball-handling time," which suits the style Zirkzee displayed at Bologna. There, the tempo allowed the striker to receive the ball, maneuver, and link up with teammates before shooting—qualities that risk being eroded by constantly adapting to short-term roles lacking rhythm in the game.

Besides Roma, Napoli is also reportedly open to negotiations. Although only a temporary solution, such a move could get Zirkzee back on track before Manchester United reassess his role at the end of the season.

The numbers speak for themselves.

Impact and Choices in January

Zirkzee needs consistent playing time to regain his rhythm, confidence, and competitive profile for the Netherlands national team in the summer of 2026. Given Manchester United's attacking options and high level of competition, a strategic step back – a loan move – could be a crucial step forward for his career.

From a £36.5 million signing to a benching spell, Zirkzee's story at Old Trafford is a lesson in role alignment and form timing. January offered an escape: leave to play, then return a sharper version — time is still ahead, but opportunities don't wait for anyone.