“Clever” £36 million Manchester United flop to hand in transfer request after torrid Old Trafford spell

Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez and Joshua Zirkzee. (Reuters/Andrew Couldridge)

Manchester United’s 2025/26 season has been far from smooth, but there are tentative signs of recovery under Rúben Amorim.

After back-to-back Premier League wins over Liverpool and Sunderland, and just one defeat in their last four league games, optimism is starting to creep back into Old Trafford.

The Red Devils sit ninth in the table — still a long way from their former heights, but considerably improved on last season’s dismal campaign.

Even so, the January window could be a crucial one. Amorim is expected to strengthen in central midfield, while several fringe players could be moved on — including Joshua Zirkzee, whose future now looks increasingly uncertain.

According to a report from The Evening Standard, Joshua Zirkzee is preparing to submit a formal transfer request ahead of the January transfer window, with West Ham United emerging as the frontrunners to secure his signature.

The Dutch forward, labelled “clever” by former Premier League midfielder Jamie Redknapp, joined United from Bologna in a £36 million deal last summer amid high expectations. However, his time in Manchester has been nothing short of disappointing.

His situation has worsened since the summer arrivals of Benjamin Šeško, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo pushing him further down the pecking order. Sources suggest Zirkzee has now accepted that his future lies away from Old Trafford, and he and his representatives are preparing to push for a move — either permanently or on loan with an option to buy.

It’s understood the 24-year-old would prefer to remain in the Premier League, though a return to mainland Europe could be considered if it guarantees him regular minutes.

For United, cashing in on Zirkzee could free up valuable funds — and a squad place — as Amorim looks to reshape his attack in the winter window.

Barnaby Lane is a highly experienced sports writer who has written for The Times, FourFourTwo Magazine, Sports Illustrated, TalkSPORT, and Business Insider.

Over the years, he's had the pleasure of interviewing some of the biggest names in world sport, including Usain Bolt, Rafael Nadal, Christian Pulisic, and more.