🚨 JUST IN!! Manchester United Set to Keep Joshua Zirkzee and Offload Rasmus Højlund Amid Inter Milan Interest

🚨 JUST IN!! Manchester United Set to Keep Joshua Zirkzee and Offload Rasmus Højlund Amid Inter Milan Interest

In a surprising twist to their summer transfer strategy, Manchester United have made a decisive call regarding their forward line. According to reports from [@CorSport], the Red Devils have resolved to keep Joshua Zirkzee—the promising Dutch striker expected to arrive at Old Trafford this summer—and are now open to permanently selling Rasmus Højlund, just a year after his high-profile arrival. However, Inter Milan, who are keen on signing Højlund, have no intention of paying upfront and prefer a loan deal with an option to buy, setting the stage for a complicated transfer saga.

 

Let’s break down what this means for Manchester United, Højlund, Zirkzee, and Inter Milan.

 

 

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🔴 United’s Changing Attacking Landscape

 

Manchester United’s striking department has been a focal point of rebuilding under new sporting leadership, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Omar Berrada guiding a new era of strategy and recruitment. After struggling for consistent goals during the 2023/24 campaign, the club is determined to refine its attacking options.

 

This summer, United are on the verge of completing a deal for Joshua Zirkzee, who has been one of Serie A’s most technically gifted and creative forwards with Bologna. The 23-year-old is seen as a modern striker—tall, skillful, and fluid in link-up play—who can lead the line or operate in a dual-forward system.

 

This has now left Rasmus Højlund’s future in serious doubt.

 

 

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🇩🇰 Rasmus Højlund: From Future Star to Transfer Risk?

 

Højlund joined Manchester United in the summer of 2023 from Atalanta for a hefty fee of around £72 million. At the time, he was seen as a raw gem with immense potential. However, despite showing flashes of brilliance—including a solid Champions League goal return—his Premier League output fell short of expectations.

 

In 30 league appearances, he managed just 10 goals, with long goal droughts and inconsistency in finishing causing concern among the coaching staff. Despite being just 21, the pressure to deliver in a struggling United side may have come too soon.

 

United had originally hoped to develop him over time, but the signing of Zirkzee changes the dynamic. With Ten Hag (or a new manager, depending on summer developments) looking for a more polished and versatile forward, Højlund may be seen as surplus to requirements.

 

 

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🔁 Inter Milan Interested – But Want a Loan Deal

 

According to Corriere dello Sport, Inter Milan have reignited their interest in Rasmus Højlund. The Nerazzurri are in search of a dynamic forward to complement their existing setup, and Højlund fits their blueprint: young, Serie A-proven, and with room to grow.

 

However, Inter do not want to commit to a permanent transfer right away. Their proposal is centered around a loan deal with an option to buy—similar to the successful strategy they’ve used in the past with players like Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sánchez.

 

Manchester United, on the other hand, prefer a permanent sale. With Financial Fair Play (FFP) limitations, they need to recoup funds from transfers to invest further in their squad. A loan deal would do little to help balance the books, unless it includes a guaranteed buy clause.

 

 

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🤝 Why United Prefer Zirkzee Over Højlund

 

The decision to stick with Zirkzee over Højlund might raise eyebrows, but it isn’t without merit:

 

1. Technical Quality: Zirkzee is more polished in possession, with superior ball control, dribbling, and passing abilities. He’s comfortable dropping deep and creating chances—something Højlund struggles with.

 

 

2. Versatility: While Højlund is more of a pure No. 9, Zirkzee offers flexibility. He can play off another striker or even slot in behind in a dual role, which gives United tactical options.

 

 

3. Chemistry with Targets: United are also pursuing Nico Williams and Victor Gyökeres, and Zirkzee’s playmaking traits complement these wide and central options better than Højlund’s direct style.

 

 

4. Adaptation Time: Zirkzee has already succeeded in a top-five league and shown maturity in Bologna’s demanding tactical system. Højlund, by contrast, still looks like a project.

 

 

 

 

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🧮 The Financial Implication

 

From a financial perspective, this is a high-stakes call.

 

Selling Højlund now could be seen as United admitting defeat too soon, possibly at a financial loss.

 

However, a strong offer from Inter—in the range of £50–60 million—could help fund other priorities, such as a central defender, a holding midfielder, and a new goalkeeper.

 

Keeping Zirkzee (who is expected to cost around £35–40 million) and offloading Højlund could also free up wages and bring more immediate returns.

 

 

Still, if United fail to secure a permanent exit and settle for a loan, they risk repeating past mistakes—such as long, unproductive loan spells with no guaranteed value.

 

 

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🧩 How Zirkzee Fits In

 

Joshua Zirkzee, assuming the transfer is completed, is expected to become a central figure in United’s new-look attack. With his close control, ability to play with his back to goal, and natural flair, he could act as a link between midfielders like Bruno Fernandes and the wide forwards.

 

The idea is that he would:

 

Rotate with or partner Gyökeres (if United land the Sporting Lisbon forward).

 

Enable more fluid combinations with fast wingers like Amad Diallo or Nico Williams.

 

Offer a calm, technical approach against low-block teams, where Højlund often struggled to find space.

 

 

Zirkzee is seen as the kind of forward who can thrive in both possession-based and transitional systems.

 

 

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😬 Fan Reactions: Mixed but Intrigued

 

The United fanbase is divided over this news.

 

Some believe the club is giving up on Højlund too early, especially after just one season. They point out that he was part of a chaotic campaign, with multiple injuries and little service.

 

Others are encouraged by the shift toward Zirkzee, feeling he’s a better fit for modern attacking football.

 

On X (formerly Twitter), some comments include:

 

> “Zirkzee over Højlund is a bold move—but I see the logic. Just hope it doesn’t backfire.”

 

 

 

> “Selling Højlund after one season would be insane. Give the kid time!”

 

 

 

> “Zirkzee is class. I’m backing this decision 100%.”

 

 

 

 

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🔮 What Happens Next?

 

United will now need to:

 

Finalize the Zirkzee deal, which is reportedly close after agreeing on personal terms.

 

Negotiate firmly with Inter Milan, refusing any loan without an obligation to buy.

 

Communicate the decision transparently, especially to avoid backlash over a young player like Højlund being sold prematurely.

 

 

If the cards fall right, this could be a masterstroke. If not, United risk losing a long-term talent and drawing criticism for poor player development once again.

 

 

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⚠️ Conclusion

 

Manchester United’s decision to keep Joshua Zirkzee and offload Rasmus Højlund represents a bold, perhaps risky shift in their forward-planning. With Inter Milan circling but unwilling to meet United’s demands, this saga could drag on throughout the summer window.

 

It’s a gamble—but in football, fortune often favors the brave.