Confirmed: Man Utd make final decision on €40m January transfer

Manchester United have reportedly decided against allowing Joshua Zirkzee to join AS Roma this month.

The Netherlands international has been heavily linked with a €40 million return to the Serie A in recent months and multiple reports have revealed that he has already reached an agreement with Roma on contract terms.

However, Man Utd have pulled the plug on the deal following their decision to sack Ruben Amorim on 5 January.

This has been confirmed by Roma director Ricky Massara, who told Fabrizio Romano: “Manchester United have closed all doors now with the managerial change. It looks highly unlikely to sign Zirkzee now.”

The Dutchman, who starred at Bologna before his move to Man Utd in 2024, fell down the pecking order following the arrival of Benjamin Sesko last summer and he was widely expected to leave Old Trafford in January.

Zirkzee racked up just 474 minutes of action during the first 21 matches of the 2025-26 season, before Amorim’s exit, and it has been reported that a move to Roma was expected to take place during the winter window.

However, Man Utd have made a transfer U-turn after sacking Amorim and Zirkzee now looks set to stay at Old Trafford until at least this summer.

Man Utd to keep Joshua Zirkzee

Zirkzee has only scored two goals and provided one assist in all competitions so far this campaign, but the Man Utd hierarchy are now reluctant to sanction a departure before they appoint a new permanent manager.

Darren Fletcher is currently in interim charge at Old Trafford, but former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is in negotiations over a shock return to the club on a caretaker basis until the end of the season.

Man Utd are then expected to hire a new head coach this summer, with Zirkzee’s future set to be decided after that point.

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