Manchester United’s lack of games this season has meant there are not enough minutes to go around, leading to growing frustrations.
After failing to qualify for Europe, Manchester United’s campaign will be a lot shorter than it has been in years. With a maximum of 36 games total left to play this season, depending on how far the FA Cup run goes.
This means United only have one game a week, leading to several players being reduced to cameos when they would expect to be getting more minutes, even starting games.
One player left frustrated by the lack of game time is Kobbie Mainoo, as the midfielder requested a loan exit during the summer transfer window.
Since then, he has continued to make regular cameo appearances; however, for one first-team player, minutes have been harder to come by under Ruben Amorim.
Like Mainoo, Joshua Zirkzee has had a tough start to the 2025/26 season. In the opening two games of the season, Zirkzee didn’t play a minute before appearing for eight minutes against Grimsby and 59 minutes against Burnley.
This saw him put in an encouraging performance as he looked like his season had started. However, just 10 minutes against Manchester City and five against Brentford is simply not enough for him.
Now, United in Focus understands via Graeme Bailey that Zirkzee’s frustration is growing, with the World Cup on his mind next summer.
Zirkzee doesn’t want to leave United, but if his lack of game time continues, he will have no choice.
United, likewise, are not desperate for him to leave; however, there is a chance that a loan in January will be sanctioned.
With the situation of the number 11’s future uncertain, Premier League clubs are keeping tabs on Zirkzee, with Everton and West Ham named.
But there are also more new clubs showing an interest.
During pre-season, Bruno Fernandes tipped Zirkzee for a big season; however, it has failed to transpire, with the Dutchman having no real place in Amorim’s squad.
United in Focus also understands that one club interested in Zirkzee is Serie A side Parma, which doesn’t have the finances to buy the Dutchman.
However, with long-term interest in Zion Suzuki, there has been a suggestion that Zirkzee could be used in a future exchange.
Zirkzee was at Parma earlier in his career, while another club to watch is Feyenoord, who had the Dutch forward in their academy, and he has always fancied returning.