Joshua Zirkzee 'open' to leaving Man Utd for Premier League rival

Joshua Zirkzee is struggling for playing time at Manchester United (Getty)

Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee is open to joining a Premier League rival on loan in the January transfer window, according to reports.

The 24-year-old joined United in a £36.5 million deal from Bologna last year and made 49 appearances in his first season at Old Trafford .

However, Zirkzee is yet to start a Premier League game this season, playing a total of 82 minutes across four substitute appearances.

He was also brought on as a late sub in the surprise defeat to Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup in August.

According to talkSPORT , Zirkzee is now ‘actively exploring’ the idea of leaving United in the January window due to his lack of playing time under Ruben Amorim .

The report claims that initial talks with Roma have taken place over a possible loan move.

Joshua Zirkzee has not played for the Netherlands national side this year (ANP via Getty)

However, West Ham are also keeping tabs on Zirkzee’s situation and the forward is said to be willing to join another Premier League side in the upcoming window.

Zirkzee is looking to secure more game time in order to boost his chances of making the Netherlands’ squad for the World Cup next summer.

He has not played for the Netherlands this year and was left out of Ronald Koeman’s squad for the World Cup qualifying wins against Malta and Finland earlier this month.

When asked if he understands Zirkzee’s frustration about his lack of minutes at United this season , Amorim said this month: ‘That is normal, and I also know that in our club, everything is a lot of noise, and you have to have news, and players are not playing. They want to play.

‘Like you said, there’s a World Cup. There are agents that listen to the players talking all the time.

‘So, I understand that but they are our players, and we need everyone to have a good season.’