Amorim and Bruno Fernandes want Juventus target Zirkzee to stay at United | OneFootball

Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim and captain Bruno Fernandes have both come out to publicly defend Joshua Zirkzee, who has struggled to settle at Old Trafford following his summer move from the Rossoblu, amidst widespread speculation of a potential loan move to Juventus.

“We believe in him,” the Manchester United skipper said about his teammate.

Juventus have been targeting a January loan move for Zirkzee for several months already, which would bring a reunion between the Dutchman and Bianconeri coach Thiago Motta, who worked well together at Bologna last season.

Juventus are also short in their attacking department, as Dusan Vlahovic is currently the only fit and available senior centre-forward in the squad.

Amorim and Bruno Fernandes defend Juventus target Zirkzee

One of the defining moments of Zirkzee’s Old Trafford career came 33 minutes into a 2-0 loss to Sandro Tonali’s Newcastle, when the Dutchman was hooked after a particularly disappointing display.

Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United heads towards the changing room after been substituted after 33 minutes during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Newcastle United FC at Old Trafford on December 30, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Zirkzee headed for the dressing room just over half an hour in to the Newcastle match, but he was greeted with a positive reception from the travelling United supporters during their 2-2 draw with Liverpool on Sunday.

Speaking to Talksport after the Liverpool match, both Amorim and Bruno Fernandes came out in support of the 23-year-old.

Amorim made it clear that he doesn’t wang Zirkzee to leave in the January transfer window, despite his loan links with Juventus.

“I want to keep Josh because he gives everything and he’s trying in training but we don’t know,” Amorim said, as quoted on the Manchester United website in an article that acknowledges Zirkzee’s Serie A links.

Ruben Amorim, Manager of Manchester United, looks on prior to kick-off ahead of the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester United FC at Anfield on January 05, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Amorim continued: “The window is open and we will see what happens. We just need to focus on training and to take this for the other games. It’s just one point so let’s focus on the performance for the next games.”

Bruno Fernandes was also asked about the situation surrounding his teammate. He said: “I was in the stands [against Newcastle] and have never seen something like this. And it really frustrates and annoys me because he is a player who always gives his all.

“As a player coming into the team from a different league, he needs time to adapt but he has huge qualities. He hasn’t shown all the quality, but it can’t be that from the first game of the season, everyone was hyping him as one of the best strikers and now everyone doesn’t believe in him anymore. We do believe in him inside the dressing room.”