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By BEN WILLCOCKS, ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR Published: 09: 31 AEDT, 7 January 2026 | Updated: 09: 31 AEDT, 7 January 2026 5 View comments Roma's pursuit of Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee has been complicated by the sacking of Ruben Amorim, club director Ricky Massara has revealed. Zirkzee, 24, was among the out-of-favour stars desperate to leave Old Trafford this month prior to Amorim's exit, alongside Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte, but now a potential move to Italy appears to have cooled off after a change in management. Amorim was axed by Red Devils owners Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos on Monday after he explosively criticised the club's hierarchy in the wake of Manchester United's 1-1 draw with Leeds at Elland Road last weekend. Roma, who are in the market for a new forward in January and had earmarked Zirkzee as a potential signing, fear the Dutchman could opt to remain at Old Trafford to fight for his place under new stewardship. Zirkzee signed for Manchester United in a £37. 5million move from Bologna in 2024 but has struggled to anchor down a consistent first team role since. 'He is a Manchester United centre-forward liked by many clubs, not just us, ' Massara told Sky Sports in Italy. 'Naturally, the situation is different after this change of management, there are no contacts in progress, but I wouldn't focus on individual names. Roma's pursuit of Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee (right) has been complicated by the sacking of Ruben Amorim, club director Ricky Massara (left) has revealed Zirkzee (left) was among the out-of-favour stars desperate to leave Old Trafford this month prior to Amorim's sacking on Monday, with Kobbie Mainoo (right) also part of that group Amorim was given the boot after he explosively criticised the club's hierarchy last weekend 'We know this window is an opportunity to reinforce the squad in an area where we have struggled to convert chances into goals, so we will try to use it. 'We started over the summer with a process of renewal. We knew it would take a while and several different transfer sessions. There are things we need to do that are not considered an emergency, but rather an opportunity to take. 'Don't forget this team had a very strong 2025 of a high level and we'd like to keep that going. With so many games close together and players out through injury, international duty, even flu, it might seem to be a weaker squad than usual. However, the team is ready and will step up. ' Massara also confirmed that Atletico Madrid forward Giacomo Raspadori is another being targeted by Roma this transfer window. 'It's true that there are negotiations in progress with both Atletico Madrid and Raspadori, ' he added. The situation is evolving, we knew the timing could be affected by the Spanish Supercup. We expect it to be resolved one way or another fairly soon. ' Former Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher has been given the reins at Old Trafford for Wednesday's clash against Burnley while the Premier League club searches for an interim head coach until the end of the season. Caretaker boss Fletcher is one of the names being considered by United, while fellow former Red Devils players Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Michael Carrick are others on the shortlist.
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