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TRANSFER WAR: SERIE A SIDES CHASE UNHAPPY UNITED PLAYER

Man United's Joshua Zirkzee is a January transfer target for AS Roma and Como. The striker has struggled for game time at Old Trafford and could return to Serie A.

Transfer War: Serie A Sides Chase Unhappy United Player
Photo Credit: Martin Rickett/Press Association/AP

According to reports, Como and Roma are vying for the services of Joshua Zirkzee, an attacking forward for Manchester United.

According to reports, Roma and Como are vying for the services of Joshua Zirkzee, a forward for Manchester United who is anticipated to depart Old Trafford at the beginning of 2026.

Before joining Manchester United in the summer of 2024, Zirkzee made 58 appearances for Bologna, scoring 14 goals and dishing out nine assists. However, he has had a difficult time in Manchester.

It has been challenging for the 24-year-old to get consistent action in the early going of the 2025–26 season, as he has only managed seven goals and three assists in 53 appearances for the Red Devils.

The Netherlands international has only played 82 minutes this season and has not been used as a substitute in four of his team's seven 2025–26 Premier League games.

Man United will not play another non-Premier League match until January, when their FA Cup challenge will start, as a result of their early exit from the EFL Cup and exclusion from Europe.

Como and Roma are engaged in a "fight" for Zirkzee of Man United.

Benjamin Sesko is ahead of Zirkzee at centre-forward, and Bryan Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount, Amad Diallo, and Matheus Cunha are contenders for the number 10 place. Zirkzee is further down the hierarchy when it comes to the last third of the field.

Zirkzee's future is currently the subject of much conjecture; however, it is believed that he is eager to return to Italy during the transfer window.

Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Roma and Como are currently engaged in a straight-up battle for the attacker.

Roma is reportedly in first place, but Como's financial might has put Cesc Fabregas' team firmly in the running, with a permanent move in January reportedly within reach.

Unless an agreement could be reached that would see him depart permanently next summer at the conclusion of any loan period, Man United would prefer a permanent departure in January.

Would Zirkzee's departure make Manchester United regret it?

The Dutchman has great technique, and Zirkzee is a terrific football player, but it is undeniable that he has struggled greatly in the Premier League.

The attacker's game is more suited to a league where games move more slowly, and he lacks the mobility to be a force in England's top flight.

A return to Serie A thus makes a lot of sense, and he might be able to secure a berth in the Netherlands squad for the 2026 World Cup if he has a great second half of the 2025–26 season.

Mateo Retegui, an Italian striker, has reportedly been selected by Man United as a possible successor.

TIRED OR TOUGH? THE CONFLICTING ITALIAN MEDIA REPORTS ON SCOTT MCTOMINAY’S PERFORMANCE

Scott McTominay and Napoli suffer Champions League elimination after a 3-2 home defeat to Chelsea's clinical Joao Pedro.

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Napoli and McTominay crashed out against Chelsea

Scott McTominay had a rough night as Napoli crashed out of the Champions League on Wednesday. The reigning Serie A champs missed out on a play-off spot after losing at home to Chelsea.

It was a wild night in the Champions League, and Napoli ended up as one of the biggest letdowns. Even with home advantage against Liam Rosenior's team, they only managed to finish 30th overall. Chelsea, on the other hand, walked away with sixth.

McTominay, along with Manchester United loanee Rasmus Hojlund, couldn’t stop Napoli from falling 3-2 in Naples. Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez opened the scoring, but Napoli hit back before halftime thanks to Antonio Vergara and Hojlund.

But after the break, Joao Pedro bagged a brace and sealed Napoli’s fate. The Italian press didn’t hold back in their reviews of McTominay’s performance.

Il Napolista gave McTominay a 6 out of 10. They liked his grit but pointed out he lost possession a few too many times in midfield. Still, they said he was a threat going forward—enough to give Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez something to worry about. But in the end, it just wasn’t enough for Conte’s side.

Il Messaggero also gave him a 6. They called his first half “average”, even though the game was played at a high level. After halftime, they thought he looked tired and didn’t live up to his usual standards.

Corriere dello Sport was a bit more generous with a 6.5. They praised his fighting spirit—classic Premier League style—and said he gave it everything he had. But as Serie A’s current MVP, expectations are high, and he just couldn’t find the goals Napoli needed.

Essere Partnopei matched that 6.5 rating. They praised his energy and said he was as active as ever, moving the ball well. Still, his efforts couldn’t keep Napoli from being knocked out.

Napoli Magazine skipped the ratings but said McTominay wasn’t at his best. He’s a key player for Conte and stayed committed, but it wasn’t enough to push Napoli into the next round.

"DON'T JUMP SHIP!" — ANTONIO CONTE’S EXPLOSIVE WARNING TO NAPOLI STARS AFTER JUVENTUS ROUT

Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund fail to fire as Juventus crush Napoli 3-0. Discover Conte’s defiant post-match reaction.

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Napoli slip to fourth as title rivals capitalise on defeat

Napoli just fell nine points behind in the Serie A title chase after Scott McTominay and the rest of the squad took a heavy 3-0 loss against Juventus.

The defending champs barely put up a fight at the Allianz Stadium in Turin. Juventus looked sharp, closing the gap with Napoli to just a single point. Right now, Gli Azzurri sit fourth with 43 points, Juventus are right behind on 42, and Inter still lead the pack with 52. If Antonio Conte’s side wants to catch up, they’ve got a lot of work to do.

McTominay played the whole match for Napoli but couldn’t change the game. Frustration was obvious for the visitors. Rasmus Hojlund, on loan from Manchester United, struggled again and didn’t make much of a difference up front. While his parent club edged out Arsenal 3-2 in London, Hojlund missed two decent chances in Turin. He hasn’t scored for Napoli since late December.

Romelu Lukaku finally got back on the pitch after his injury, but with just 12 minutes left, the result was already settled. Juventus were two goals up—Jonathan David bagged the first, Kenan Yildiz added another, and Filip Kostic finished things off near the end with a third.

Napoli are still missing another Scot, Billy Gilmour, and creative midfielder Kevin De Bruyne is out hurt as well. Next up, Chelsea comes to Naples on Wednesday night. Napoli really needs a win to stay in the hunt for a Champions League play-off spot.

Conte faced up to the defeat but made it clear Napoli aren’t about to give up on the Scudetto—even with all these injuries.

Conte didn’t sugarcoat things:

“As long as it was 1-0, it felt close—like we might grab a draw,” he said. “But after their second goal, things opened up, and then they scored a third. Credit to them, but also to my guys. There’s not much to say or criticise. Even here in Turin, they gave everything.

“Sometimes you get past these obstacles, sometimes you don’t. For the first time in my career, I had to bring on a player [Giovane]. I’d never even seen him in training—a kid who just joined us Saturday. That tells you something about what we’re dealing with right now.

“But we’re not quitting. We know the situation, and we’ll keep pushing. It feels like we’re out at sea in a storm, but we’re not bailing. If someone wants to jump ship, fine—they can swim to shore. The rest of us are staying on board, ready to fight with everything we’ve got, whatever comes our way.”

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