Man Utd
Zirkzee Ready to Push for January Exit to Salvage World Cup Prospects
Zirkzee, on four appearances and 82 minutes, eyes January move to revive World Cup hopes. Daily Mail
Joshua Zirkzee has grown increasingly frustrated at Manchester United and is prepared to press for a move in January to protect his World Cup ambitions, according to a Daily Mail report. The striker has made only four appearances for United this season, totalling 82 minutes across all competitions, and has not represented the Netherlands since November.
Zirkzee was retained at Old Trafford in the summer as cover after Rasmus Højlund departed for Napoli on an initial loan. United signed several attacking additions that have reduced his opportunities, with Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Šeško all described as expensive additions to manager Ruben Amorim’s plans. That increased competition, plus Mason Mount being used ahead of him as a central striker and greater depth in attacking midfield, have seen Zirkzee tumble down the pecking order.
The report states Zirkzee is “hugely frustrated” by his situation, not least because it comes in a World Cup year. He was left out of Ronald Koeman’s latest Netherlands squad and a January exit is seen as “crucial” to his hopes of forcing his way back into Koeman’s plans. His frustrations have grown to the point that he is prepared to push for a winter move.
Interest in Zirkzee existed in the summer: Napoli were said to be keen before they ultimately signed Højlund, while Juventus are long-time admirers. Zirkzee’s return of 11 goals and five assists in the 2023–24 campaign at Bologna was the form that earned him his move to United.
Contractually, United are not under pressure to sell. Zirkzee is under contract until 2029, with the option for a further 12 months included in his deal, giving the club control over any decision. United may prefer to keep him as emergency cover, but the player’s limited minutes and growing frustration suggest January will be a key moment for both sides.
Man Utd
United Preparing Major Midfield Overhaul with Goretzka Among Targets
United plan major midfield additions this summer; Leon Goretzka is a reported possible target this.
Manchester United are reported to be preparing a substantial midfield overhaul this summer, with the club said to be willing to “go very big” on central reinforcements. The plan could involve two marquee arrivals and has placed soon-to-be free agent Leon Goretzka firmly on the radar.
Goretzka spent eight seasons at Bayern Munich after joining on July 1, 2018. Arriving from Schalke as a wiry all-rounder, he bulked up during the COVID-19 hiatus and returned with a markedly different build. The 6’2″ midfielder described himself as “more self-confident and more robust.” He added: “Going into full-blooded challenges feeling like that gives me a greater sense of security.” Under Hansi Flick he drove Bayern to the 2019–20 Bundesliga title and a Champions League triumph.
Across his Bayern spell the record shows Joined: July 1, 2018; Games: 292; Goals: 47; Assists: 48; Titles: x6 Bundesliga, x1 Champions League, x2 DFB Pokal, x1 Club World Cup, x1 UEFA Super Cup. Injuries disrupted the following two seasons and, when Thomas Tuchel arrived in 2023, the new coach immediately sought to move him on that summer. Bayern’s board retained him, but reduced playing time followed and that decline cost him a place at the 2024 European Championships held on German soil.
Vincent Kompany initially shared Tuchel’s lack of faith before reintegrating Goretzka and praising his response: “Leon has always worked hard, he’s always been hungry in training,” and, “It’s a good thing for Leon and the other lads. Leon showed the right reaction: with his feet, not with words.”
United, despite an upturn under Carrick, still need a central midfield replacement for the outgoing Casemiro. Manuel Ugarte had been the ideal profile but appears not to be the solution. Goretzka’s more front-footed profile would likely complement one of the three midfield targets United have been circling for months: Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba. Anderson is described as arguably the most complete of the trio, though his dominance may reflect both his talent and his teammates’ limitations, and all three are expected to command substantial fees.
Barcelona
Rashford’s Return to United Remains Possible but Unlikely After Carrick Comment
Carrick would welcome Rashford back if appointed permanent manager, but the forward seems settled. .
Michael Carrick has told those around him he would like Marcus Rashford back at Manchester United if he is appointed permanent manager, a development that has complicated an already tangled transfer picture.
Reports indicate Barcelona are leaning towards triggering a purchase option they hold on the 28-year-old, but The Telegraph says Carrick would explore a reunion with the England international if he is allowed to stay at Old Trafford beyond the summer. The final call, however, will belong to Rashford. If he does not want to stay with Barcelona, he simply will not.
Rashford left United after 426 appearances following a breakdown in his relationship with the club. The need for a fresh start contributed to his exit and United were willing to move on from a player who perhaps blew hot-and-cold one too many times. That context, plus the fact that Amorim drove United’s efforts to offload him, makes a comeback complicated. Amorim was relieved of his duties, and the change in coaching staff has reopened the possibility in principle, though the reunion feels unlikely in practice.
“Of course what I want is to stay at Barça,” Rashford told SPORT in December, two weeks before Amorim was relieved of his duties. We have not heard from Rashford since.
Barcelona secured Rashford in the summer for an affordable fee of €30 million, a deal that exploited United’s position at the time. The forward has justified that outlay with a major impact on Hansi Flick’s side this season. Even so, Barcelona appear to believe United’s negotiating weakness, largely linked to Rashford’s large wages, leaves room to seek an additional discount.
Ultimately the situation reduces to a few simple truths: Barcelona have the first option, United’s stance during last summer leaves them with limited leverage, and Rashford’s preference will decide whether any reunion is pursued. For now, Carrick’s preference is clear, but Rashford’s commitment to Barcelona appears to make a return improbable.
Man Utd
From Crisis to Contention: Can Carrick Guide United to an Unlikely Title?
Carrick’s brief spell has closed United’s gap and reignited belief; 15 league games remain in 2026.
Manchester United’s commercial backdrop is stark: the club remains partnered with adidas until at least 2035 after last year’s renewal for another decade and £900 million. The brand’s slogan ‘Impossible is Nothing’ feels unusually apt if United were to complete a dramatic turnaround and finish 2025–26 as Premier League champions.
The context is clear. Michael Carrick succeeded Ruben Amorim as interim head coach and faced two of the toughest early tests possible in Manchester City (H) and Arsenal (A). The previous caretaker, Darren Fletcher, had not produced an immediate lift in league form, drawing his Premier League debut with Burnley and losing to Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup. Amorim’s tenure had not delivered sustained momentum either.
Carrick has not radically overhauled tactics. Instead he has narrowed the instructions, leaning into a simple, fast, direct approach that emphasises width and the club’s traditional ‘DNA’. That focus restored belief and produced consecutive wins over Manchester City and Arsenal, results that suggest United can now compete with anyone in the division.
The immediate challenge is consistency. Carrick has already matched Amorim’s first-time achievement of back-to-back league wins, and the points gap to leaders Arsenal has fallen from 17 to 12 in under two weeks. With 15 league fixtures remaining and no other competitions to split attention, there is a practical opportunity to close that deficit.
Historical perspective underlines the possibility. The Premier League record comeback is 13 points; United have erased 12-point gaps twice before in 1992–93 and 1995–96. Recent examples also show radical seasonal turnarounds are feasible.
A specific squad development has helped: Patrick Dorgu, signed from Lecce, has been important to Carrick’s approach. The Denmark international operated further forward toward the end of the Amorim era and contributed decisive goals in the victories over Manchester City and Arsenal, offering the width and directness Carrick demands. The Gareth Bale comparisons in style and impact are noted in that light.
What remains is the longer test: repeating those performances across the remaining schedule and converting renewed belief into sustained form.
Fixtures remaining (selected):
Feb. 1, 2026 Man Utd vs. Fulham
Feb. 7, 2026 Man Utd vs. Tottenham
Feb. 23, 2026 Everton vs. Man Utd
March 4, 2026 Newcastle vs. Man Utd
May 2, 2026 Man Utd vs. Liverpool
May 24, 2026 Brighton vs. Man Utd
United Preparing Major Midfield Overhaul with Goretzka Among Targets
Salah becomes first player with 152 goal contributions at one Premier League stadium
