A shadow hangs over Joshua Zirkzee’s time at Manchester United, a familiar story of potential dimmed by the club’s recent struggles with young talent. The forward, once brimming with promise, now finds himself adrift, a player needing a lifeline to reignite his career.
Dutch legend Ruud Gullit believes the answer lies not in perseverance at Old Trafford, but in a return to the vibrant footballing landscape of Italy. He sees a player capable of brilliance, but stifled by an environment that has proven detrimental to too many before him.
Manchester United has, in recent years, become a graveyard for burgeoning stars. Talented players arrive with fanfare, only to see their development stall, their confidence eroded. Often, it’s elsewhere, away from the pressure and expectation, that they rediscover their form.
Gullit vividly remembers Zirkzee’s flourishing period at Bologna, a time when he was a force to be reckoned with. He’d hoped to see him continue that ascent with a move to Milan, a step that felt natural and progressive. Instead, the allure of Manchester United proved a misstep.
The 24-year-old has struggled to secure consistent playing time, first under Erik ten Hag and now with Ruben Amorim. The initial excitement surrounding his arrival has faded, replaced by a growing sense of urgency – a need for change.
“I think from my point of view that he should have stayed in Italy, because he was really striving,” Gullit stated, his words carrying the weight of experience. “He was really doing well at Bologna and I was hoping that he would go to Milan. I think that as soon as he went to Manchester United, it was the wrong decision.”
The pattern is undeniable, Gullit argues. Players who depart Manchester United often thrive, blossoming in different surroundings. A loan spell, a temporary escape, could be the catalyst Zirkzee needs to rediscover his spark.
“For a lot of players, moving to Manchester United has been the wrong decision,” Gullit observed, a stark assessment of the club’s current predicament. “And whoever leaves them, plays well everywhere around Europe. I just hope that there’s a solution for him.”
The plea is simple: play football. Find a place where Zirkzee can feel valued, where he can express his talent without the suffocating weight of expectation. A return to Italy, even on loan, offers a path back to the player he once was – a good player, desperately needing a chance to shine.
