JOSHUA ZIRKZEE is on course for the exit door at Manchester United just four months after arriving, according to reports.
The 23-year-old arrived from Bologna in July in a deal worth £36.5million.
Zirkzee scored on his debut against Fulham, but has not found the back of the net in 14 games since.
SunSport exclusively revealed that Erik ten Hag did not want to sign the former Bayern Munich striker and how he arrived at Old Trafford overweight, with it taking time to shift that extra weight.
However, with the imminent arrival of Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim following the sacking of Ten Hag, Zirkzee’s time in England may have already run its course.
Italian outlet Calciomercato report that Amorim, who will take over as Red Devils head coach on November 11, is unconvinced by the forward.
Instead, Amorim, 39, will look to bring in his own attacking options.
The report suggests that a return to Italy could be on the table, with AC Milan and Juventus both potential destinations.
But such a transfer will only happen if it is on loan, with Ineos wanting to back the attacker after they billed him as good value for money in the summer.
If Zirkzee is allowed to leave the club, that could lead United transfer chiefs to try and poach some stars from Sporting.
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Ex-Coventry star Viktor Gyokeres is one star who could be targeted, given how he is one of the most prolific strikers in Europe over the past two seasons.
Similarities have been drawn between the Swede and United ace Rasmus Hojlund, who impressed against Chelsea last Sunday despite being largely starved of service in the final third.
Amorim’s first game in charge of United will be against Ipswich on November 24.
Before that, interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of games against PAOK on Thursday – as they look to win their first game in Europe for a year – and Leicester on Sunday.
Since taking charge of the squad, Van Nistelrooy has overseen a 5-2 win over Leicester in the League Cup and a 1-1 draw against Chelsea.
It is understood the players would like to see the Dutchman retained within Amorim’s coaching staff once he arrives.
Amorim himself remains in charge of Sporting, where he has won two league titles, and will take on Manchester City on Tuesday evening before facing Braga in his final game with the Eagles.
RUBEN AMORIM has ruled out poaching any of his Sporting Lisbon players in the January transfer window.
But the Portuguese side’s chiefs expect Amorim will come calling in the summer – with his cheque book wide open.
Here’s are three Sporting starts United could swoop for… but they won’t come cheap:
VIKTOR GYOKERES
Age: 26
Position: Striker
Cost: £84million
Swede has shone since joining Sporting last summer from Coventry — catching the eye of all Europe’s top clubs.
Hit 43 goals in 50 games last season and boasts 18 strikes already this term.
GONCALO INACIO
Age: 23
Position: Defender
Cost: £50million
Ball-playing centre-back was handed his debut by Amorim and has since become a key figure in Sporting’s recent title successes.
Can also slot in at left-back if required and has 12 caps for Portugal.
MORTEN HJULMAND
Age: 25
Position: Midfield
Cost: £40million
Dane is one of the top holding midfielders in Portugal — and made skipper by Amorim.
He could be the man to replace Casemiro.
