Breaking News: Erik ten Hag stance clear with Man Utd ‘already planning to cut ties’ to land swap deal

Erik ten Hag reportedly disagreed with the signing of Joshua Zirkzee (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Given that Man Utd is apparently planning to unload Joshua Zirkzee in a player-plus-cash deal for their top transfer target, Erik ten Hag’s hesitation to sign him seems to have been warranted.

Viktor Gyokeres is apparently poised to replace Joshua Zirkzee, Manchester United’s disastrous acquisition, confirming Erik ten Hag’s suspicions regarding the Dutchman’s trade.

Zirkzee, 23, was acquired by United for £36.5 million in the summer from Bologna, a Serie A team. The Netherlands international has failed to score in all of his games across all competitions since his debut goal against Fulham, shattering any hopes that he would start right away.

Even prior to United’s acquisition of Zirkzee, Red Devils boss Ten Hag—who was recently fired and replaced by Sporting CP head coach Ruben Amorim—reportedly had doubts about his ability to score goals. According to The Sun, Ten Hag was incensed when Zirkzee showed up at Carrington for the first time “a stone overweight.” The forward has never been especially prolific.

Ten Hag was far less harsh in his comments in public, merely stating that neither of his forward options was currently of the highest calibre. “I think we have two young strikers who have the potential to grow into top-class strikers in Ramus Højlund and Zirkzee,” he added in a cryptic manner.

With Fabrizio Romano reporting this week that United may already be looking to flog Zirkzee as part of a deal to capture highly-rated Sporting striker Gyokeres, Ten Hag, who is now unemployed, may have had good reason to be concerned.

As the Portuguese manager tries to turn their fortunes around following a terrible start to the season, the Dutchman would probably understand Amorim’s desire to bring in a proven goalscorer like Gyokeres, especially given that he publicly acknowledged that Zirkzee was not yet a top-level striker.

Romano went on to say that Zirkzee’s future at United is uncertain, while Caughtoffside asserted that he might be utilised in a player-plus-cash transaction that would bring Gyokeres and recently hired United manager Amorim back together.

It’s unclear how Amorim feels about Zirkzee and how much the Dutch striker will play for him this season. Before splitting apart, United is known to want to weigh all of their choices.

Gyokeres’ connection to Amorim is a major plus, and he might be available for as little as £63 million. However, since Amorim has promised not to raid his old club, at least not until the end of the season, any transaction would have to happen next summer instead of during the January transfer window.

Amorim stated: “I will not sign any Sporting players at Man United in January. Then, I don’t know what happens in the summer,” according to A Bola. Good players are those who play sports. We’ll see what transpires.

Gyokeres’ hat-trick against rival Manchester City in Sporting’s Champions League match this month has already won over United supporters. His amazing 2024 comeback now stands at 48 goals.

Sporting CP president Frederico Vandaras recently hinted that the Swedish goal machine would be sold off in the summer, which gave United a boost in their pursuit of Gyokeres. “I can’t promise anything,” he replied. Gyokeres will leave if a team shows up and pays the release clause, but I don’t think that will happen in January.”

Additionally, Deco disclosed that although the 26-year-old is valued by Barcelona, he is not the team’s top target to sign. Deco remarked, “Gyokeres is a good player,” “In Portugal, he has been scoring goals for a while. Although it’s not a top priority for us at the moment, we know him just like we know others.

“We will weigh our choices when the time comes for me to make a decision because I am the one at the club. However, I don’t believe that discussing any player at this time is appropriate.