Manchester United decide to block transfer of forward after Ruben Amorim’s sacking: Reports

Manchester United have decided against sanctioning an exit for striker Joshua Zirkzee following the sacking of Ruben Amorim, as per reports. The Dutch striker was strongly linked with a move away from Old Trafford in the January transfer window, and had interest from Italy and England.

Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport has stated that a move to AS Roma was very likely for Zirkzee this month, but Amorim's sacking has put paid to those plans. Manchester United have decided to keep the 24-year-old around and see if the interim manager decides to keep him or not.

Joshua Zirkzee was prepared to leave Old Trafford due to his limited game time under Amorim barely 18 months after joining the Red Devils from Bologna. The former Bayern Munich striker played just 465 league minutes in the first half of the season, starting only four times.

Zirkzee has scored two goals for Manchester United, both in the Premier League, this season. The Netherlands international will hope that the interim coach gives him more of a chance to prove his worth than Amorim did at the club.

A move away from Old Trafford would have greatly appealed to Zirkzee chiefly due to his ambitions of playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the Netherlands. The striker has yet to appear for his country since 2024, having failed to nail down a regular starting berth since joining Manchester United.

Zirkzee played the final 16 minutes of the Red Devils' 2-2 draw against Burnley in Darren Fletcher's first game in interim charge. He will hope for a bigger role in their subsequent games under the U-18s boss or whoever takes over after him.

Manchester United legends leading race to become interim boss: Reports

Manchester United legends Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick are leading the race to be appointed to lead the team in interim capacity, as per reports. The Red Devils are looking to hire a coach that will remain in charge of the club until the end of the season following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim.

A report from the BBC has revealed that both Solskjaer and Carrick are in line to hold talks with the club's chiefs for the role. The pair of ex-Red Devils have been interim bosses at the club in the past, and have no problem taking the role until a substantive appointment is made in the summer.

Solskjaer was most recently manager of Turkish outfit Besiktas, but was relieved of his duties earlier this season after losing playoffs for both the UEFA Europa League and Conference League. Carrick managed Championship outfit Middlesbrough, spending two and a half years in charge before he was sacked last June.