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ROMA DIRECTOR CONFIRMS MANCHESTER UNITED REFUSE TO SELL JOSHUA ZIRKZEE THIS MONTH
Roma director Frederic Massara confirms Manchester United will not sell Joshua Zirkzee. Discover why Carrick is blocking the move.
Roma’s director of football, Frederic Massara, doubled down on his stance: Manchester United isn’t letting Joshua Zirkzee leave this month. Even though Zirkzee didn’t make Michael Carrick’s first squad, Massara doesn’t see United budging.
Zirkzee’s season has been a mess. He managed to outlast Rasmus Højlund at United after a flood of new strikers arrived, but then spent four months stuck on the bench. Eventually, Benjamin Šeško’s injury gave Ruben Amorim no choice but to play Zirkzee. The 24-year-old finally got three starts in a row as November turned into December, even broke a 364-day Premier League goal drought, and then—right when it looked like things might turn for him—got dropped again.
After Amorim left, Massara admitted United had shut down all transfer talks until the club found some stability. Bringing Carrick in until the end of the season answered one question, but it didn’t change United’s position. When reporters pressed him again about Zirkzee this weekend, Massara didn’t sugarcoat it: “Man Utd said no quite clearly a couple of weeks ago, and they have not changed their minds,” he told BBC Sport’s Simon Stone.
Zirkzee missed Carrick’s second debut at Old Trafford, watching from the sidelines as United deservedly rolled over Manchester City 2–0. Carrick went with a lineup that didn’t even include a real striker, instead taking advantage of Bryan Mbeumo’s speed and flexibility. But Zirkzee’s absence wasn’t about Carrick losing faith in him. United announced before the match that Zirkzee picked up a knock in training. Afterwards, cameras caught him telling fans he’d be out for two weeks—which, conveniently, covers the rest of the January transfer window.
Don’t expect Carrick to get any signings in January. That’s been clear for a while, and it’s the main reason players like Zirkzee aren’t going anywhere for at least another six months. United’s squad is already thin, so they can’t afford to let anyone leave.
Still, there could be some fresh faces in the team. Carrick made a point during his first week to talk up the club’s academy and the chances young players have to step up. “Everyone needs a chance, you know,” he said. “Every younger player needs a chance and wants a chance. It’s up to them to earn it.
“I’ve always been passionate about that—even when I was playing. If a younger guy joined the squad, I’d try to help him, guide him, and give him advice. Watching them take off, getting that feeling of playing for the first team – it’s great.”
Maybe Carrick’s playing to the fans by saying all this, especially after Amorim’s cold attitude toward the club’s so-called “entitled” youngsters. But honestly, with United’s squad stretched so thin, Carrick might have no choice but to lean on the kids.
KOBBIE MAINOO STAYING AT MANCHESTER UNITED AFTER MICHAEL CARRICK BLOCKS NAPOLI LOAN
Kobbie Mainoo rejects Napoli loan after Michael Carrick’s intervention. Discover why the boss sees him as a key attacker.
Kobbie Mainoo isn’t going anywhere this winter. After sitting down with Michael Carrick, he’s now set to stay at Manchester United, at least for the rest of the season. Carrick, now in charge, challenged Mainoo to prove Ruben Amorim wrong for benching him so often.
Saturday’s Manchester derby was a big deal for Mainoo—it was the first time he’d started a Premier League game since May. He also finished the full 90 minutes, something he hadn’t done since that ugly Carabao Cup loss to Grimsby Town back in August.
As soon as Darren Fletcher took over, Mainoo was back in the squad and got a run-out against Burnley after weeks on the sidelines. Then he started in the FA Cup against Brighton, and when he kept his spot for the City match, that made it two starts in a row—each one under a different interim manager.
Somewhere between those games, Carrick made it clear: Mainoo’s a key part of his plans now. He told the young midfielder to focus on making his mark at his boyhood club and to show everyone that Amorim made a mistake leaving him out.
So Napoli can forget about signing him on loan. Mainoo had been in talks with them for weeks, but that’s all off the table now. His head’s back at United, thanks to Carrick’s influence.
Carrick’s always been a fan. Before stepping into the manager’s role, he talked up Mainoo in an interview with Rio Ferdinand last summer. “For a club like United, it’s huge to have a player who’s grown up here and really gets the place. You want to build around those guys. United’s always done that and always should.
“With talent like his, you have to help them grow, give them support, stick with them. There’s definitely a spot for him.”
Carrick went on: “He’s more of an attacker to me, not a holding midfielder. He plays better a bit further up, with more freedom.
“There’s more than one way to defend. You can press higher up the pitch, but dropping deep in front of your centre-backs is a different job. I’ve watched him play higher, with freedom to create, get on the ball, and make things happen. His future’s huge.
“I really like him. He just needs a bit of patience and another chance, and I’m sure he’ll get it. He’s already shown what he can do.
“It’s just so refreshing—how he takes the ball, drives forward, commits defenders, passes, and dribbles. That’s not going to disappear. Young players go through ups and downs, but he’s got it. I’ve seen it plenty of times.”
MANCHESTER UNITED SUBMIT FORMAL €23M BID FOR AL-HILAL SUPERSTAR RUBEN NEVES
Manchester United have launched a £19.2m bid for Ruben Neves. Discover if the Portuguese star will accept a huge wage cut.
Manchester United have officially put in a bid to bring Ruben Neves back to the Premier League, ramping up their chase for the Portuguese midfielder.
Fichajes, the Spanish outlet, reports that United’s higher-ups see Neves as the guy who can bring balance, leadership, and some much-needed experience to the heart of their midfield. Chelsea is also interested, but United got their offer in first.
Neves is still under contract with Al-Hilal until June, so this January is basically their last real window to cash in before he walks for free in the summer. Al-Hilal don’t exactly need the money, but apparently, they’re open to offers around €23 million (£19.2 million). United’s bid lands in that ballpark, though they’re still hashing out the details, like how the payments would work and what add-ons might be included.
At the end of the day, a lot depends on Neves himself—especially what he expects to earn.
Now, here’s where things get tricky: money. Neves is one of the top earners in Saudi Arabia. If he wants to come back to England, he’ll need to lower his salary demands to fit in with United’s wage structure.
Capology’s numbers show Casemiro leads United’s pay scale at £350,000 a week, with Bruno Fernandes not far behind on £300,000. Neves, right now, takes home close to £390,000 per week at Al-Hilal.
INEOS, United’s new regime, is serious about cutting the club’s wage bill. If Neves really wants this move, he’ll have to take a big pay cut—no way around it. Any deal United puts forward will pay him less than the top earners, but he’d still be well compensated and respected for what he brings.
And let’s be honest, there’s a reason United wants him. Neves has already shown in the Premier League that he fits right in. Unlike some signings who might need time to get used to the speed and physicality, Neves has already done the hard yards with Wolves—177 league games, 21 goals, and 9 assists. Across all competitions, he racked up 30 goals and 13 assists in 253 appearances.
He helped guide Wolves from the Championship to Europe, often captaining the side. His ability to control matches and score from a distance makes him a pretty safe bet for a United team that’s crying out for consistency.
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