Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee could be asked to remain at Old Trafford despite “good” news about Benjamin Sesco’s injury.
The Red Devils have been in good form in recent weeks, with Ruben Amorim’s first successive Premier League win resulting in a five-game unbeaten run.
Manchester United spent big on Matheus Cunha, Brian Mbeumo and Sesco in the summer transfer window, as only four clubs scored fewer goals than the Red Devils last season.
This has caused Zirkzee to fall down the pecking order at Old Trafford, and there are rumors that he could be loaned out in the January transfer window.
Sesco’s injury appeared to rule out that possibility, but with confirmation the Slovenian would be back by Christmas, there was thought to be hope if Zirkzee opted to leave Manchester United to increase playing time in the run-up to the World Cup.
However, Romano is unsure whether Zirksee, who has yet to start a Premier League game this season, will be allowed to leave in January as Amorim “wants” him to stay.
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Romano said on his YouTube channel: “Right after the (Tottenham) game, there were concerns about the possibility of a serious injury. That’s why Ruben Amorim went to the press conference after the game and said: ‘Let’s see what happens with Sesco, because his injury might affect our plans for the January transfer window.’
“Why? Because if it were to be a very long injury, maybe three months, maybe four months, maybe six months, maybe an ACL. In that case, Man United had to sign a new striker in the January transfer window.”
“But I said right after that that my information was an injury, yes, a knee injury, but it wasn’t a super serious injury, it wasn’t a very long injury. That’s good news for Manchester United.”
“But what I can say is that Sesco is expected to be out for around three weeks. So the hope of the Manchester United staff is to have Sesco ready in early December. After that, depending on his recovery and fitness, it could be a few more days. United are not taking any risks.”
“However, Sesco is expected to be out for three weeks, up to four weeks, so there is a hope that he will be available in early December. “This could also be important in understanding the future of Joshua Zirkzee, as Zirksee is open to leaving Man United in the January transfer window.
“Maybe he’ll go on loan, maybe he’ll have a chance to play regularly, but at the same time he remains an important player for Manchester United. Look, we’ve got AFCON now, we’ve got some players moving, we’ve got Sesco’s injury.”
“If you get injured, if you have problems, whatever happens, you need another striker. Zirkzee can be used as a number nine or as a number ten behind the striker. So for Amorim, he is an important player. Amorim wants Zirkzee to stay.”
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There were rumors that Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia was being discussed as a potential replacement during talks for Alejandro Garnacho to leave Man United for Stamford Bridge in the summer.
Regarding these claims, Romano added: “According to my information, Chelsea and Man United have never discussed Romeo Lavia. My sources say that Chelsea has confidence in Lavia. Obviously, the boy has multiple injuries, so the Chelsea staff are doing their best to improve his fitness.”
“They have already done a great job with Reece James and their mission now is to do the same with Lavia. But in terms of skill, development and potential, Chelsea believe in Lavia. Chelsea invested in Romeo Lavia because they are convinced he will be special in the future.”
“And Chelsea have denied any information that they have offered Lavia to Man United. The negotiations were exclusive to Garnacho. What can be made clear is that at the beginning of the conversations, Tyrik George could have been involved in a deal with Man United.”
“But I’m talking about the beginning of June. It was an idea very early in the transfer window. Nothing happened with that idea and it resulted in a direct transfer for Garnacho to Chelsea, but Rabia was not part of the discussions for this swap deal.”
