‘Open’: Ten Hag signing now shockingly considering move away from Old Trafford as early as January

Despite scoring on his maiden Manchester United appearance back in August, Joshua Zirkzee has failed to hit the ground running since then. 

Indeed, it was something of a dream start for the Dutchman when he came off the bench on his debut and fired home the winning goal in front of the Stretford End against Fulham on opening day. For him, Erik ten Hag and the fans, it really couldn’t have gone any better.

He has since struggled to replicate such a high, though, having failed to find the back of the net in his subsequent 10 appearances in all competitions.

In fairness to Zirkzee, goals have been incredibly hard to come by across the squad, with United scoring the fourth-fewest of any club in the Premier League. Their seven goals are only worsened by Ipswich Town (six), Crystal Palace (five) and Southampton (six). 

However, the recent return of Rasmus Hojlund now puts Zirkzee’s minutes in jeopardy if he continues failing to produce. He was granted a handful of consecutive starts in the No.9’s absence but has since been made to adjust to a rotational role, coming on as a substitute in the last three matches.

Zirkzee mulls over Serie A return

Now, in a shocking turn of events, the 23-year-old is being linked with a move away from Old Trafford after only three months at the club. Calciomercato claims he is ‘open’ to joining Juventus in hopes of reigniting his goalscoring form in the Serie A, and would consider making the switch in the winter window. 

INEOS chiefs are unwilling to sanction a permanent sale of their £36.5 million man so soon but would reportedly consider loan moves. In turn, you’d expect that they’d pursue a forward addition in January to ensure Ten Hag is not left short of options – especially given that Hojlund’s injury record leaves a lot to be desired.