'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Juventus director Cristiano Giuntoli has shut down rumors linking his side with a move for struggling Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee in the January transfer window. The name of the Dutch striker has been linked with a return to Italy this month.
Zirkzee left Bologna for Manchester United last summer after the Premier League side beat a number of competitors to his signature. The 23-year-old has, however, found the transition from Italian to English football to be quite steep and has struggled since changing clubs.
Juventus appointed former Bologna manager Thiago Motta in the summer. They were named among the sides interested in the Dutchman, as a reunion between striker and manager was mooted. Giuntoli has, however, explained that there was never a discussion with the Premier League side over a transfer for Zirkzee, but has refused to rule out a move this month.
Trending
“We never discussed with Manchester United about Joshua Zirkzee. I don’t know what’s gonna happen in the next weeks, Man United are busy with their own things. We are always attentive to all opportunities but there’s nothing now," he said (via Fabrizio Romano).
Zirkzee has managed only four goals in 27 appearances across all competitions in the first half of the season as he struggled to get up to speed with English football.
The former Bologna man was taken off after just 33 minutes in Manchester United's most recent league game, a 2-0 defeat against Newcastle United. He was notably booed off by United's fans at Old Trafford. A number of sides are reportedly keen on the Dutchman this month.
Manchester United star set to miss Liverpool clash through illness
Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is set to sit out of his side's clash against Premier League leaders Liverpool due to an illness. The England international has not been training this week and is set to be unavailable on Sunday as well.
Rashford has not featured in any of the Red Devils' last five games, only making a return to the squad for their league defeat to Newcastle United on December 30. The forward did not play a single minute in that game, as he was an unused substitute.
Marcus Rashford is reportedly a target for several sides in the January transfer window after falling out of favor under coach Ruben Amorim. The 27-year-old has turned down a move to Saudi Arabia this month, but may eventually leave the Red Devils before the end of January.
