Joshua Zirkzee allegedly has 'no interest' in leaving Manchester United, with the Netherlands international determined to stay with the Red Devils for the second half of the 2024-25 campaign.
The 23-year-old arrived at Old Trafford off the back of scoring 14 goals and registering nine assists in 58 appearances for Bologna, but he has struggled to make his mark during his first season in English football.
Zirkzee has only managed four goals and two assists in 28 appearances for Ruben Amorim's side, and the low-point of his time at the club came on December 30, when his early substitution against Newcastle United was celebrated by a number of the home fans at Old Trafford.
The Dutchman was back involved against Liverpool on Sunday, though, appearing as a late substitute in the 2-2 draw, and he set up Harry Maguire for a golden chance late on, only for the centre-back to fire over the crossbar.
There is currently huge speculation when it comes to Zirkzee's future, with a number of clubs, including Juventus, Napoli, Inter Milan and AC Milan, believed to be keen to sign him on loan during the winter market.
Zirkzee 'not interested in Man United departure'
However, according to Sky Sports News, Zirkzee has no desire to leave the 20-time English champions, as he is determined to make his mark in the Premier League and 'loves' the Red Devils.
The report claims that Man United have told interested clubs that Zirkzee is not available, with the club's head coach Amorim expressing a desire to keep hold of the forward after the clash with Liverpool.
"I want to keep Josh Zirkzee because he gives everything. He's trying in training but we don't know, the window is open... we will see what happens," Amorim told reporters before addressing the chance that he set up for Maguire against Liverpool.
"For me, I think it was the perfect decision because he can shoot but he put the ball more in the centre. The ball was really slow for Harry to score but sometimes you cannot do it. But Josh made a good decision in my opinion."
Fernandes backs Zirkzee amid struggles
Meanwhile, Man United captain Bruno Fernandes has said that the dressing room "believe in him".
"I was in the stands [against Newcastle] and have never seen something like this and it really frustrates me and annoys me because he is a player that always gives his all," said Fernandes.
"As a player that is coming into the team from a different league, he needs time to adapt but he has huge qualities. He hasn't shown all the quality but it can't be that from the first game of the season everyone was hyping him as one of the best strikers and now everyone doesn't believe in him anymore.
"We do believe in him inside the dressing room. I would rather be myself in this position against Newcastle and not seeing one of my teammates in that position."
While Zirkzee looks likely to stay, the same cannot be said for Marcus Rashford, with the Englishman's agent and brother believed to have travelled to Italy to hold talks with AC Milan over a loan move to the Italian club. body check tags ::
