Roma target Joshua Zirkzee left out of the derby with City as fans question United’s silence over a possible injury
The situation surrounding Joshua Zirkzee is becoming increasingly puzzling. The former Bologna striker, now at Manchester United and one of Roma’s key transfer targets this January, has suddenly found himself at the center of speculation after being left out of the squad for the Manchester derby against City — without any official explanation.
Initially, Zirkzee’s absence was interpreted in Italy as a potential signal from United in the context of the transfer market, especially with Roma searching for attacking reinforcements following Artem Dovbyk’s injury. But that narrative took a sharp turn when an unpublished video of the Dutch forward began circulating widely on social media.
The footage, filmed by a fan outside the stadium after United’s FA Cup match against Brighton on January 11, shows Zirkzee clearly limping as he leaves the venue. The images quickly went viral, raising immediate concerns about a possible injury that had never been communicated by the club.
What has fueled the controversy is Manchester United’s total silence. Zirkzee was omitted from Michael Carrick’s matchday squad for the derby, but no medical update accompanied the decision. No press release, no clarification — just his name missing from the list. That lack of transparency has left both United supporters and Roma fans uneasy.
On social media, the reaction has been blunt. “Why is Manchester hiding this?” is one of the most repeated questions under the video, with some fans openly wondering whether the club is deliberately downplaying or concealing an injury in order to protect Zirkzee’s market value amid Roma’s interest.
Adding another layer to the mystery, reports from England have begun to emerge. According to the Daily Mail, Zirkzee is dealing with a calf muscle issue that could keep him sidelined for around two weeks. However, the report has not been officially confirmed — nor denied — by Manchester United, further intensifying the uncertainty.
For Roma, the situation is delicate. Zirkzee remains a profile admired by the Giallorossi hierarchy, but doubts over his physical condition could heavily influence any potential move. For now, what should be a straightforward injury update has instead turned into a full-blown mystery — one that continues to raise questions on both sides of the Channel.
Video of Joshua Zirkzee limping after the FA Cup match against Brighton.
Credits: markbtv_ in Instagram
