Man United reject Roma’s loan bid for Nigerian-Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee

Manchester United have turned down a loan-to-buy offer from Roma for striker Joshua Zirkzee, with manager Ruben Amorim now set to decide the forward’s immediate future.

The 24-year-old played a key role in last weekend’s 2-1 Premier League victory over Crystal Palace, scoring for the third consecutive start.

Zirkzee, who has Nigerian heritage, initially impressed at United after scoring on his debut.

However, he has struggled for consistency since, managing just three more league goals across 38 appearances. Frustration from fans grew as the former Bayern Munich forward saw limited success despite flashes of promise.

According to Manchester Evening News and Corriere dello Sport, Roma submitted an approach structured as a loan with an option to buy, conditional on the Serie A club qualifying for the Champions League.

United rejected the proposal, insisting any potential deal must meet their valuation and financial conditions.

The Dutch forward started against West Ham on Thursday night but was substituted in the second half of the 1-1 draw.

With the Africa Cup of Nations approaching, Zirkzee could remain a key option for Amorim as he experiments with attacking options while Benjamin Sesko remains sidelined.

Despite his modest return of eight goals and three assists in 57 appearances, Zirkzee has become increasingly important for Amorim, who has expressed confidence in the striker’s technical ability and tactical awareness.

United’s decision to reject Roma’s loan offer signals their intent to retain the player for at least the short term, possibly leveraging a bigger transfer fee in the summer.

Zirkzee’s situation highlights the balance United must strike between nurturing young talent and managing squad performance. With January transfer discussions ongoing, the club is likely weighing options for both player development and financial prudence.

He is expected to retain his starting role for Monday’s Premier League visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers, giving Zirkzee another opportunity to impress and potentially influence decisions about his long-term future at Old Trafford.

The striker’s next few matches may be decisive in determining whether he remains part of Amorim’s plans or departs in the upcoming transfer window.