Joshua Zirkzee, another important sign from England: one detail reignites speculation about a move to Serie A

Joshua Zirkzee’s time at Manchester United has reached a new crossroads. The Dutch forward, despite having decided to stay with the Red Devils at the end of the summer transfer window, continues to struggle to secure playing time and consistency, while rumors of a possible departure in the January transfer window are growing increasingly persistent.

The latest sign came in Saturday’s match against Tottenham, which ended in a 1-1 draw. For the first time this season, Zirkzee started the game—an important opportunity to impress coach Michael Carrick and the club. His time on the field, however, lasted just under an hour: with the score tied at 0-0 in the 59th minute, he was substituted for Amad Diallo—a decision that did not go unnoticed.

The numbers paint a picture that is far from promising. This season, the former Bologna player has yet to play a full match and continues to see limited playing time. This fact confirms that his working relationship with Michael Carrick has never really taken off and that the center forward has not, at least so far, managed to carve out a central role in the Red Devils’ plans.

In this context, a transfer during the winter window appears to be an increasingly likely scenario. After all, there’s no shortage of admirers in Italy. Juventus continues to monitor the situation and could make a move if it decides not to rely further on Nick Woltemade. Roma is also keeping an eye on the situation: the Giallorossi are looking for an attacking alternative to Donyell Malen to pair with Santiago Castro, and the Dutchman’s profile is considered particularly appealing.

Much will depend on what happens between now and the end of December, but the feeling is that Zirkzee needs to regain his confidence and consistency after a difficult start to the season. And if opportunities at Manchester United continue to come sporadically, a return to Serie A could go from being mere transfer speculation to a concrete possibility in January.