Juventus Football Club has declined an offer for Manchester United’s out-of-favor striker, Marcus Rashford. Surprisingly, the Italian powerhouse has expressed a stronger interest in Rashford’s teammate, Joshua Zirkzee, another forward currently struggling to establish himself at Old Trafford. Rashford, who has been omitted from the United squad for four consecutive matches, including the recent 2-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers, is reportedly keen to depart from Manchester. Various agents are actively offering his services to clubs across Europe, but Juventus’ manager, Thiago Motta, appears to have set his sights on Zirkzee instead.
Motta, who previously managed Zirkzee at Bologna last season, sees potential in the young Dutch striker. Zirkzee has endured a difficult spell since his £36.5 million summer transfer from Bologna to Manchester United, scoring only four goals in 26 appearances. Despite limited opportunities to start, with only 10 starts to his name, Motta believes he can reignite Zirkzee’s career, drawing on their successful collaboration during their time together in Italy. Zirkzee initially joined Bologna on loan from Bayern Munich in 2022 before making the move permanent. Despite Zirkzee’s struggles in the Premier League, his reputation in Serie A remains relatively strong, making him an attractive prospect for Motta and Juventus. However, Manchester United are unlikely to be receptive to a quick sale of Zirkzee, especially after investing a significant sum in his acquisition just months ago. This potential transfer hinges on whether Juventus are willing to meet United’s valuation, which is likely to be close to his original transfer fee.
While Manchester United manager, Ruben Amorim, publicly maintains that Rashford still has a future at the club, the club appears open to offloading the England international. Rashford’s high wages, reportedly around £350,000 per week, coupled with a substantial transfer fee, present significant obstacles for potential suitors. Several clubs, including Barcelona, have been approached regarding Rashford’s availability, but the financial implications of such a deal remain a major deterrent. Amorim’s recent post-match comments following the Wolves defeat suggest a growing disconnect between the manager and Rashford. When questioned about Rashford’s exclusion from the squad, Amorim’s cryptic response hinted at ongoing issues that have yet to be resolved.
Beyond the pursuit of Zirkzee, Juventus manager Thiago Motta is also reportedly eyeing a move for another English player, AC Milan centre-back Fikayo Tomori. The estimated transfer fee for Tomori is approximately £20 million. This indicates Juventus’ ambition to bolster their defensive ranks, potentially pairing Tomori alongside existing defensive options within their squad. The combination of Zirkzee and Tomori would inject some fresh blood into the Juventus lineup, potentially addressing key areas of concern for Motta. However, both deals will depend on Juventus’s willingness to meet the asking prices and negotiate acceptable terms with their respective clubs.
Meanwhile, Manchester United’s struggles continue, highlighted by their recent loss to Wolves. This defeat has further cemented their precarious position in the league table, currently languishing in 14th place. Individual performances have also come under scrutiny, with goalkeeper Andre Onana receiving criticism for his role in conceding a goal directly from a corner. Bruno Fernandes’ red card further compounded United’s woes, leaving them short-handed and highlighting disciplinary concerns within the squad. The performances of several other players have been questioned, including Leny Yoro, Noussair Mazraoui, Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo, and Amad Diallo. Despite some positive contributions from Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, and Diogo Dalot, the overall team display was lackluster.
The match against Wolves exposed several weaknesses within the Manchester United squad, including a lack of creativity in midfield, defensive vulnerabilities, and disciplinary issues. The team’s struggles under Amorim are becoming increasingly apparent, with only two wins in seven Premier League games since his appointment. The ongoing saga surrounding Rashford’s future and the potential departures of other players, coupled with recent on-field performances, suggest a period of uncertainty and transition for Manchester United. The January transfer window could prove crucial in reshaping the squad and addressing the team’s shortcomings. The pressure is mounting on Amorim to turn things around quickly and restore confidence amongst the fans and within the dressing room.
