Joshua Zirkzee January loan move floated – Rapid Manchester United exit suggested

Manchester United are never too far away from having throwaway remarks being made about them.

It happens every few days and it has happened again, with a strange remark coming from Paolo di Canio, who is well known for constantly making claims that sometimes don’t really make sense.

Di Canio certainly knows United striker Joshua Zirkzee well from the Dutchman’s time at Bologna and in a chat with TuttoSport, the former West Ham and Lazio man has encouraged Juventus to sign the player from the Red Devils.

The Italian believes that Zirkzee probably isn’t quick enough for Premier League football and that Serie A suits him more.

He said, as relayed by TMW: “For the Premier League he is a bit too slow, then maybe he will prove me wrong with goals and great performances, but there they attack you straightaway and whistle 30% less for fouls. In Italy, we have seen what impact the player had in Bologna.”

“In the end, in the confusion that there is at United, they could also give him on loan. They already have Hojlund, then there is Rashford who is playing in that position. He would be the perfect profile, also because it would allow Motta to have a striker with different characteristics to Vlahovic.”

Di Canio urged Juve to start speaking to Manchester United right away or it might be too late.

“But I would start the negotiations now: a loan with maybe the possibility of redeeming him: Zirkzee is not a devastating scorer, he is not one to score 25 goals, but he makes the others play well.”

Zirkzee has had a slow start to life at Old Trafford despite scoring on his debut against Fulham.

He has shown glimpses of his hold-up and link-up ability, showcasing what his strengths are.

The Dutchman has a long-term deal at Manchester United and will surely not leave anytime soon, but playing under Thiago Motta, a manager who brought the most out of him not too long ago at Bologna, could be an appealing idea.