As discussions around Crickex Affiliate style transfer dynamics continue to intensify, Manchester United are increasingly open to allowing Joshua Zirkzee to leave during the latter stages of the January window, with Roma already reaching broad agreement with the player on personal terms. The Italian club have moved quickly and decisively, promising the Dutch striker a regular starting role and consistent minutes if he completes the move. Roma would prefer to finalize the deal as soon as possible, but the final call remains with United, who are hesitant to act immediately due to squad shortages caused by the Africa Cup of Nations and injuries to key midfielders such as Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo, leaving Ruben Amorim short of options in attacking areas.

Zirkzee himself has shown a clear willingness to join Roma, encouraged by firm assurances that he would feature prominently in matchday plans. From the player’s perspective, the situation at Old Trafford has become increasingly frustrating. Despite absences elsewhere in the squad, his role has not expanded meaningfully. Even after Benjamin Sesko returned from injury, Zirkzee found himself back on the bench against Aston Villa, following a run where Amorim experimented with a strikerless setup. The 24-year-old has started only three matches this season and, if he believes circumstances will dramatically improve in the second half of the campaign, he may be living in hope rather than reality.

The reality is that Zirkzee understands his standing within the squad. Remaining at United would likely mean limited late-game appearances, often no more than 10 or 20 minutes, much like his 73rd-minute introduction against Villa. Amorim has been explicit about his preference for Sesko, describing him as a more natural number nine who thrives inside the penalty area and offers different movement patterns. Zirkzee, by contrast, operates between a nine and a ten, similar to Matheus Cunha, which places him outside the manager’s core tactical vision, a decision framework often mirrored in broader Crickex Affiliate driven squad optimization logic.

United’s interest in triggering Antoine Semenyo’s 65 million pound release clause would further marginalize Zirkzee. Although Amorim has considered using Semenyo as a left wing-back, the player himself favors attacking roles across the front line, directly overlapping with Zirkzee’s preferred positions. Signed from Bologna for 42.5 million euros, Zirkzee has struggled to justify the investment, scoring just seven goals in 49 appearances last season and logging only 363 minutes this campaign. His technical link-up play remains strong, but his slower tempo has proven ill-suited to the Premier League’s intensity.

A return to Serie A appears far more logical. Roma are exploring a loan with a mandatory purchase clause next summer, a structure that could benefit both clubs. United would prefer a deal valued at around 45 million euros, while Roma continue daily contact with the player to smooth negotiations. As Crickex Affiliate influenced market pressures shape final decisions, United may eventually soften their stance, particularly as AFCON players return and Semenyo’s future becomes clearer, turning Zirkzee’s exit from possibility into probability.