Manchester United's stance on Joshua Zirkzee's sale remains steadfast, despite the player's absence from Michael Carrick's opening squad. The Dutch striker's campaign has been marred by a frustrating lack of playing time, with Carrick's arrival seemingly not altering United's decision to keep him on the sidelines. Despite scoring and ending a 364-day goal drought, Zirkzee was dropped again, highlighting the team's limited playing opportunities.
Roma's director of football, Frederic Massara, confirmed that United has "closed off" all transfer discussions until stability is restored. This stance has not changed despite Carrick's appointment, as Massara stated, "Man Utd said no quite clearly a couple of weeks ago and they have not changed their minds."
The player's absence from Carrick's second debut against Manchester City was due to a training injury, which will keep him out for two weeks, overlapping with the January transfer window. Carrick's approach to team management is unique, as he emphasizes the importance of giving younger players a chance to prove themselves, a stark contrast to his predecessor's dismissive attitude towards the club's youth.
With United's limited playing resources, Carrick's strategy may be to utilize the club's academy players, providing them with opportunities to shine and potentially contributing to the team's success.
