Forward has shown interest in leaving the club on loan in January but United are cautious amid absences
Manchester United will delay any decision to send Joshua Zirkzee on loan in January to avoid further weakening a depleted squad.
United’s resources on the pitch have been thinned with Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui away at the Africa Cup of Nations, and Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo out injured.
The club’s shortage of personnel was clear during Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa, when Amorim handed first-team debuts to teenagers Jack Fletcher and Shea Lacey and later moved Lisandro Martinez into midfield out of necessity.
Until they are convinced the majority of the currently absent players will be available, United are reluctant to sanction any early departure for Zirkzee.
The player has reportedly shown interest in leaving the club on loan in January to get more game time ahead of the World Cup, and a number of clubs have expressed their desire to sign him.
The 24-year-old has made 10 league appearances this season, with only three starts. But those starts have come over the past month following an injury to Benjamin Sesko, and with United plagued by absences, the player could yet get more opportunities to state his case to be a starter.
Zirkzee is out of the Netherlands squad and is looking to strengthen his case for selection with regular football.
