Manchester United may be open to letting players leave in the January window, just days after they suffered a humiliating defeat at home to ten-man Everton.
Manchester United went into Monday’s game at Old Trafford knowing that a three-goal win would move them into the top four. But they lost 1-0, despite Everton being reduced to ten men after 13 minutes when Idrissa Gueye hit his own teammate Michael Keane.
It was United’s fourth league defeat in just 12 games, which made doubts surrounding manager Ruben Amorim rekindled over a year into his tenure.
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The Red Devils were missing several first-team players, including Harry Maguire, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Šeško. The absences of Cunha and Šeško gave Joshua Zirkzee an opportunity, as he got his first start of the season.
But the Dutch attacker was unable to seize the chance, and United struggled to break down Everton’s steadfast defensive block. He came close ten minutes before the end, when Jordan Pickford tipped his header around the post.
Zirkzee has struggled since moving to Old Trafford in the summer of 2024, and before Monday night he had only been given 90 minutes of game time this season.
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The striker has also dropped out of Ronald Koeman’s Dutch squad and understands that he needs regular game time to be able to reach the World Cup this summer. According to the Italian newspaper Gazzetta, Zirkzee has now said “yes” to joining Roma.
They report that Manchester United will have to consider the Serie A club’s offer, which includes a loan with a purchase option that will become binding if Roma qualify for the Champions League.
A transfer would see Zirkzee reunite with Gian Piero Gasperini, under whom he worked at Atalanta.
It remains unclear whether Manchester United will allow a sale, given their lack of attacking options.
Summer signing Šeško is currently the club’s only other recognised central striker and is out for several weeks with a knee injury.
Cunha, who has also played centrally this season, missed Monday’s game after sustaining a bump during training.
The other player who is reportedly set to leave Old Trafford in January is young left-back Diego León.
The 18-year-old officially joined United in the summer from Cerro Porteño for £3.3 million.
Although he has been included in four first-team squads this season, his playing time has been limited to the U21 team.
According to the Daily Mail, León is now keen to leave United on loan in the January window.
French club Nice, which is also owned by INEOS, is described as an “ideal destination”.
The report also claims that Sekou Kone and Ayden Heaven could go on loan.
