Man Utd told Zirkzee suitor signed alternative who ‘gets everything wrong’

Updated: 15 Sept 2026 17:48 BST |
4 min read

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Manchester United have been told Juventus signed an alternative to Joshua Zirkzee who is getting “everything wrong” in Serie A.

Netherlands international Zirkzee was strongly linked with a summer move to Juventus in an attempt to earn more first-team football.

The 25-year-old joined United from Italian side Bologna in July 2024 but has struggled to impress at Old Trafford, scoring nine goals in 77 games.

However, Zirkzee – who also received interest from Fiorentina and Everton – ended up staying at Old Trafford, and has made two appearances so far this season.

Zirkzee saw his chances of joining Juventus significantly reduced after they decided to sign Randal Kolo Muani and Nick Woltemade instead.

Kolo Muani joined Juventus from Paris Saint-Germain on a permanent basis, while Woltemade moved to Turin on a season-long loan from Newcastle United.

Yet Gazzetta dello Sport reporter Matteo Nava says both players are struggling to find their feet with the Bianconeri, who were beaten 3-2 at Sassuolo on Sunday.

Nava even writes – in the caption of his latest report – that Germany international Woltemade “gets everything wrong” at Juventus.

With Kolo Muani and Woltemade yet to score this season, Nava writes: “Four matches and no goals, plus several moments that have quickly become mocking social media reels from rival fans. Clumsy touches, attempted back-heels that ended up with opponents, and, crucially, very few dangerous chances. No, this simply won’t do.

“Juventus’s attack isn’t functioning and, more importantly, isn’t scoring goals. Once again, Luciano Spalletti had to bring on substitutes to spark a partial comeback, but Randal Kolo Muani and Nick Woltemade failed to provide the desired impact, failing to back up words with actions.”

Juventus have lost just one of their opening four Serie A games

While Juventus have only lost one of their opening four games in Serie A, Luciano Spalletti’s side have been topsy-turvy, scoring just six goals and conceding four.

Nava continued: “When the Bianconeri coach (Spalletti) spoke after the (Sassuolo) match, he largely defended his strikers, though he didn’t deny the Frenchman’s (Kolo Muani) lack of ruthlessness or a couple of poor decisions from the German (Woltemade), who arrived on loan from Newcastle.

“However, the overall impression is that there’s still much work to be done at the Old Lady to forge a genuine threat at the heart of the attack.

“A 3-2 defeat away to Sassuolo certainly can’t be blamed solely on one department or another, but Juventus continues to grapple with two strikers searching for goals. Without them, consistent winning becomes incredibly difficult.”

Zirkzee hoping for a chance to shine against Brighton

In addition to Zirkzee, Juventus were also linked with Norway striker Alexander Sorloth this summer, though they were unable to agree a deal with Atletico Madrid.

Kolo Muani and Woltemade will hope to break their respective ducks when Juventus face Dutch side NEC Nijmegen in the Europa League on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Zirkzee could be given the nod when United entertain Brighton and Hove Albion in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

The Red Devils have won just one of their opening four Premier League games this season and were beaten 1-0 by ten-man Manchester City in Sunday’s derby.

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