Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim wants to keep striker Joshua Zirkzee at the club this month, despite reported interest from Juventus.
Zirkzee has had a difficult start at Old Trafford. He has scored just four goals in 28 games, while he was also substituted in the first half of last week's defeat to Newcastle United.
The Dutch forward was also blamed at times after Harry Maguire missed a golden opportunity to score a winning goal during Sunday's 2-2 draw against Liverpool – his bouncing pass was fired over the crossbar by the defender.
Amorim insists he hopes Zirkzee stays for the second half of this season, but accepts anything can happen during the transfer window.
He said: “I want to keep Josh because he is giving everything. He is trying in training but we don't know. The window is open.”
“We'll see what happens. We just have to focus on performance, on training and take that into the next match.”
“Oh, Joshua Zirkzee!” #MUFC || #PL pic.twitter.com/BhU54hk4nm
– Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 6, 2025
Zirkzee was warmly welcomed by the United fans when he was introduced at Anfield, a stark contrast to his last appearance against Newcastle.
He had no shot or touch in the box and scored just two final thirds before seemingly being jeered by his own supporters in the 32nd minute last Monday.
United captain Bruno Fernandes was in the stands at that match and was angry about the reaction of the supporters.
Fernandes said: “I've never seen anything like this before, and it really frustrates me and irritates me because he [Zirkzee] is a player who always gives everything.
“As a player who comes into the team from another league, he needs time to adapt, but he has enormous qualities.
“He hasn't shown all the quality, but it can't be that from the first game of the season everyone called him one of the best strikers and now everyone doesn't believe in him anymore.
“We believe in him in the dressing room. I would rather be myself in this position against Newcastle and not see one of my teammates in that position.”
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