Man Utd star ‘wants to leave club and reunite with former boss’ after being singled-out for criticism by Ruben Amorim
MANCHESTER UNITED flop Joshua Zirkzee reportedly wants to QUIT his new club for a reunion with old boss Thiago Motta at Juventus.Zirkzee, 23, has netted just one goal in 18 appearances following a £36.5million summer move from Bologna.Joshua Zirkzee wants to quit Man Utd for a reunion with old boss Thiago MottaCredit: GettyFormer Bologna gaffer Motta is now in charge at JuventusCredit: AlamyThe Dutch striker failed to nail down a spot in United’s starting XI under either Erik ten Hag, Ruud van Nistelrooy, with new manager Ruben Amorim also unimpressed after a verbal blast last week.And La Gazzetta claims Zirkzee is already eyeing a return to Italy in January.Before his move to Old Trafford, the forward netted 14 goals in 53 games at Bologna.Despite not being particularly prolific, Zirkzee established himself as a key player due to his link-up play and last season he helped Bologna qualify for the Champions League.Zirkzee’s manager during his two years at the club was former Barcelona, Inter Milan and PSG midfielder Motta.He is now gaffer at Serie A giants Juventus.And it’s reckoned Zirkzee is desperate to join Motta in Turin next year.Juventus would also like to strike a deal after remaining the only unbeaten side in Italy’s top flight.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThey are hoping United will agree to let Zirzkee join them on loan for the remainder of the season.And the two clubs could then sit down next summer to negotiate a fee for a permanent move.Ruben Amorim touched by Old Trafford welcome in win over Bodo/Glimt Ruben Amorim has already been critical of ZirkzeeCredit: GettyHowever, United would likely need to sign a replacement before green-lighting the deal.The Red Devils’ recent business has been heavily influenced by PSR and FFP constraints.And United would likely only be able to afford a temporary striker themselves – a rare commodity in the common market.But new manager Amorim has been less than impressed with the striker and could use it as an opportunity to bring in his own man.Speaking after his first match in the dugout, a 1-1 draw with Ipswich, Amorim criticised Zirzkee for failing to understand the basic nature of his role as a No9.Amorim said: “I think that (decision making) is a concern, you don’t need to coach them at this level.READ MORE SUN STORIES“You have to keep the ball and know the momentum to put the ball in front. Sometimes you feel that you can’t keep the ball and you have to put the ball in front.“Then you have like we are in the end of the game, we were around the box with two strikers. Josh has to understand that he has to go to the box to have the crosses.”Ten Hag’s Man Utd signingsThe Dutchman has brought in 21 players since moving to Old Trafford in 20222022-23:Antony, (Ajax) £86mCasemiro, (Real Madrid) £70mLisandro Martinez, (Ajax) £46mTyrell Malacia, (Feyenoord) £13mChristian Eriksen, (Brentford) freeMartin Dubravka, (Newcastle) loanWout Weghorst, (Burnley) loanJack Butland, (Crystal Palace) loanMarcel Sabitzer, (Bayern Munich) loan2023-24:Rasmus Hojlund, (Atalanta) £72mMason Mount, (Chelsea) £60mAndre Onana, (Inter Milan) £47mSofyan Amrabat, (Fiorentina) loanAltay Bayindir, (Fenerbahce) £4.3mJonny Evans, (Leicester) freeSergio Reguilon, (Tottenham) loan2024-25:Leny Yoro, (Lille) £52mManuel Ugarte, (Paris Saint-Germain) £50mMatthijs de Ligt, (Bayern Munich) £45mJoshua Zirkee, (Bologna) £36.5mNoussair Mazraoui, (Bayern Munich) £12.8m More