Manchester United are having problems in attack, with the team having only scored nine goals in seven games so far.
New signings Benjamin Sesco, Brian Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have all failed to make the impact Man United had hoped.
Joshua Zirkzee, who joined last year, has also struggled to establish himself at Old Trafford. Since joining from Bologna, the Dutch forward has scored just seven goals and provided three assists in 53 appearances, marking a disappointing return for a player who was once seen as a long-term solution in the No. 9 role.
Zirkzee was widely reported to be on the move in the summer transfer window, but no deal materialized.
While he remained at the club, Amorim did not consider him part of his tactical plans, making only three appearances this season, all from the bench.
His exclusion from the Netherlands squad during the recent international break has only heightened speculation over his future, with current reports suggesting he could leave on loan or permanently in January 2026.
Manchester United are preparing to sign a new striker if Joshua Zirkzee leaves the club
Manchester United’s recruitment team are wary of the possibility of him leaving the club. According to TEAMtalk, United are preparing to explore striker options ahead of the January transfer window in order to ensure they have enough depth in attack.
The club has prioritized ‘high-value’ additions over big signings, but adding Zirksee has become increasingly urgent.
The 24-year-old is reportedly attracting strong interest from Italy, with teams including Serie A side AS Roma and newly promoted Como monitoring his progress, suggesting he is likely to return to his former league.
Manchester United’s January transfer options: Who will replace Joshua Zirkzee?
Among the players Manchester United could sign in January is Real Madrid youngster Endrick, who has fallen out of favor at the club, as first reported in the Daily Briefing.
The talented Brazilian has around eight clubs considering him as a transfer target, one of which is Manchester United.
Another player who has been linked with the club is Antoine Semenyo. Manchester United were also interested in signing him in the summer, with manager Ruben Amorim even taking him out for lunch in an attempt to persuade him to leave.
Recent reports suggest the Cherries are open to letting the player leave in January for the right price, with the club valuing him in the region of 100 million.
Although Semenyo is not a versatile centre-forward, he is very versatile and has proven that he can play effectively across the front three.
However, they face stiff competition, with Liverpool said to be the frontrunners to sign him.