Decision made: Luckhurst — Utd star who’s played four times under Carrick ‘eyeing exit’ amid ‘plenty of interest’

Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee is preparing to cut short his Old Trafford stay after just two seasons, with Italian clubs already circling, according to Samuel Luckhurst. The 24-year-old Dutchman, who has made only four appearances under interim boss Michael Carrick, is said to be “eyeing a summer exit” in search of regular first-team football.

Zirkzee arrived from Bologna in July 2024 for £36.5 million but has struggled to impose himself in England, registering two goals and one assist in 18 Premier League outings this term. The lack of European fixtures and early cup exits have further limited his opportunities, while the pre-season arrival of centre-forward Benjamin Sesko pushed him further down the pecking order.

A graduate of Bayern Munich’s academy, Zirkzee previously spent two productive years at Bologna and had a brief loan spell at Parma, making Serie A a familiar and appealing destination. Luckhurst reports that “plenty of interest” has already been expressed by Italian clubs, offering the striker a clear route to reignite a career that has stalled in Manchester.

With INEOS set to oversee a major attacking overhaul, Zirkzee is expected to be among a group of forwards heading for the exit, alongside loanees Marcus Rashford, Rasmus Hojlund and the soon-to-be-out-of-contract Jadon Sancho. United have yet to set an asking price for the Netherlands international, but a cut-price deal could suit all parties as the club reshape their squad ahead of next season.