{"id":50672,"date":"2026-07-25T23:11:15","date_gmt":"2026-07-26T03:11:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/07\/25\/why-manchester-united-want-to-sign-english-goal-machine-instead-of-zirkzee\/"},"modified":"2026-07-25T23:11:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-26T03:11:15","slug":"why-manchester-united-want-to-sign-english-goal-machine-instead-of-zirkzee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/07\/25\/why-manchester-united-want-to-sign-english-goal-machine-instead-of-zirkzee\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Manchester United want to sign English goal machine instead of Zirkzee"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/07\/25\/why-manchester-united-want-to-sign-english-goal-machine-instead-of-zirkzee\/#What_does_Joshua_Zirkzees_future_hold_at_United\" >What does Joshua Zirkzee&#8217;s future hold at United?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/07\/25\/why-manchester-united-want-to-sign-english-goal-machine-instead-of-zirkzee\/#How_can_United_land_Zirksees_perfect_replacement_this_summer\" >How can United land Zirksee&#8217;s perfect replacement this summer?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/07\/25\/why-manchester-united-want-to-sign-english-goal-machine-instead-of-zirkzee\/#Mainoo_will_love_him_75m_superstar_%E2%80%98very_keen_to_join_Man_United\" >Mainoo will love him: \u00a375m superstar &#8216;very keen&#8217; to join Man United<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>It&#8217;s no secret that Manchester United have made strengthening their central midfield department a priority in the ongoing transfer window as they prepare for a return to the Premier League.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<p>Andrej Santos and Youri Tielemans have already completed moves to Old Trafford this summer, with the aforementioned duo reportedly worth a total of \u00a385m.<\/p>\n<p>However, manager Michael Carrick wants to add a third player to the center of the team, but he is looking for overwhelming ball-winning ability to complement the two new signings.<\/p>\n<p>    If the Red Devils continue to spend heavily during this period, they may have to sell players, which could lead to a player&#8217;s stay at the club coming to an abrupt end.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-the-future-holds-for-joshua-zirkzee-at-united\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_does_Joshua_Zirkzees_future_hold_at_United\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>What does Joshua Zirkzee&#8217;s future hold at United?<\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Pre-season often gives players on the fringes of the first team a chance to impress, and this year is no exception, as was the case with Joshua Zirkzee.<\/p>\n<p>    The Dutch attacker has made just 10 appearances since Carrick&#8217;s arrival in February, starting just one of those, before replacing Benjamin Sesco at second fiddle.<\/p>\n<p>However, he has been part of the club&#8217;s pre-season tour so far and even scored a stunning solo goal in the 5-0 win over Rosenborg in Norway on Friday.<\/p>\n<p>Following such performances, many supporters are calling for the 25-year-old to be given another chance through the 2026\/27 season, but it remains highly unlikely that such a decision will be taken.<\/p>\n<p>Zirkzee has been constantly touted for a move away from Old Trafford since the start of 2026, and the link has continued to pick up pace since the summer window opened.<\/p>\n<p>Juventus are one of the teams that has constantly monitored the attacker&#8217;s development, which is why the player himself gave the green light to return to Italy during this period.<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-container\">\n<table border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"1\" cellspacing=\"1\" style=\"\" align=\"\" summary=\"\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th colspan=\"2\" scope=\"col\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Joshua Zirkzee &#8211; Manchester United statistics<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>statistics<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>tally<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>games played<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>75<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Number of points scored<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>9<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>assist<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>yellow card<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>7<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Play time (minutes)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>2901<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Trophies won<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<p>It remains to be seen how much the Red Devils will be able to recoup from their \u00a336.5m investment, but despite his goals in recent days, he still appears to be a player who can be offloaded.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-united-can-land-the-perfect-replacement-for-zirkzee-this-summer\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_can_United_land_Zirksees_perfect_replacement_this_summer\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>How can United land Zirksee&#8217;s perfect replacement this summer?<\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>As United continue their efforts to sign a new central midfielder, other areas of the pitch continue to be monitored for potential investment.<\/p>\n<p>INEOS have recently been looking to sign Fenerbahce left-back Archie Brown, but could face stiff competition from Chelsea for the Englishman.<\/p>\n<p>    This is not the only area where new reinforcements could be made. Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins has emerged as a new transfer target for Carrick&#8217;s side.<\/p>\n<p>The Sun reports that United are considering a potential move for the 30-year-old, who scored 16 goals in the English international&#8217;s final season in the top flight.<\/p>\n<p>They claim Arsenal are also a team keen to test the resolve of Unai Emery&#8217;s side, and they are said to value the England international at the equivalent of \u00a340m.<\/p>\n<p>Such a move would undoubtedly give Carrick another proven goalscorer in attack, and could push Zirksee further down the pecking order and ultimately lead to his departure from Old Trafford.<\/p>\n<p>Watkins&#8217; statistics in recent campaigns in the Premier League have shown his all-round qualities, producing figures that the Dutchman has since failed to match.<\/p>\n<p>The Villa star had an impressive 1.3 shots on target per 90 last season, which put him above 80% of all European forwards.<\/p>\n<p>He also shot 46% on target and found the back of the net on every one of his five shots. That&#8217;s better than any player currently on Carrick&#8217;s team.<\/p>\n<p>Watkins took his goalscoring exploits to Europe throughout the 2025\/26 season, scoring five goals to propel Emery&#8217;s side to Europa League glory.<\/p>\n<p>    Such figures will be music to the ears of United fans who are hungry for proven talent who can flourish on the continental stage once they secure a return to the Champions League.<\/p>\n<p>The Englishman, described by journalist Tom Kolomosse as &#8220;one of the PL&#8217;s best strikers&#8221;, has scored 91 goals in England&#8217;s top flight during his career, further proving his superiority over Zirksee.<\/p>\n<p>    Paying \u00a340 million for a player of his proven quality would be a great signing for United this summer and would remove some of the responsibility from Sesco.<\/p>\n<p>It will undoubtedly give Carrick the much-needed cover in attacking areas and finally allow the Dutchman to return to his best form away from Old Trafford.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"display-card  article article-card small  no-badge  active-content                              \" data-include-community-rating=\"false\" id=\"mainoo-will-love-him-carlos-baleba-now-super-keen-on-joining-man-utd\" data-nosnippet=\"\">\n<p>                        <\/p>\n<p>                    <span data-field=\"label\" class=\"article-card-label\"><label>related<\/label><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-content regular article-block\">\n<h5 class=\"display-card-title \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mainoo_will_love_him_75m_superstar_%E2%80%98very_keen_to_join_Man_United\"><\/span>\n<p>\t\t\tMainoo will love him: \u00a375m superstar &#8216;very keen&#8217; to join Man United<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p class=\"display-card-excerpt\">Manchester United could be making progress towards signing a third midfielder.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It&#8217;s no secret that Manchester United have made strengthening their central midfield department a priority in the ongoing transfer window as they prepare for a return to the Premier League. Andrej Santos and Youri Tielemans have already completed moves to Old Trafford this summer, with the aforementioned duo reportedly worth a total of \u00a385m. However, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":50673,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[2625,40,1127,505,106,43,107,2521],"class_list":["post-50672","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-football","tag-english","tag-football","tag-goal","tag-machine","tag-manchester","tag-sign","tag-united","tag-zirkzee"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50672","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50672"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50672\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50673"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50672"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50672"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50672"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}