An injury to Benjamin \u0160e\u0161ko belatedly forced Ruben Amorim to turn to the 24-year-old outcast, handing him three consecutive starts as November bled into December. Zirkzee scored during this brief burst of appearances, ending a Premier League goal drought<\/a> which had stretched to 364 days, only to be dropped once again.<\/p>\n In the immediate aftermath of Amorim\u2019s exit, Roma recruitment chief Massara revealed that United had \u201cclosed off\u201d<\/a> all transfer discussions until some stability was restored. The arrival of Carrick on a contract until the end of the season has taken at least one job off the club\u2019s decision makers, yet it appears that their stance hasn\u2019t changed.<\/p>\n Joshua Zirkzee (left) is competing with Benjamin \u0160e\u0161ko for a starting spot. | Richard Sellers\/Sportsphoto\/Allstar\/Getty Images<\/p>\n When pushed once again on the pursuit of Zirkzee, Massara glumly revealed this weekend: \u201cMan Utd said no quite clearly a couple of weeks ago and they have not changed their minds,\u201d as quoted by BBC Sport\u2019s Simon Stone<\/a>. <\/p>\n Zirkzee sat out Carrick\u2019s second debut in the Old Trafford dugout, watching on from the sidelines as his teammates deservedly romped to a 2\u20130 win against Manchester City<\/a>. The new boss opted to line up without a recognised forward, exploiting Bryan Mbeumo\u2019s pace and versatility with a central role, but Zirkzee\u2019s omission was not a reflection of any lack of faith.<\/p>\n United confirmed before kick off that the Netherlands international had picked up a knock in training and the player himself was filmed<\/a> after the match telling fans that he would be out for a fortnight\u2014which just so happens to cover the remainder of the January transfer window.<\/p>\n Carrick to Lean on Additions Outside the Transfer Window Michael Carrick will lead Man Utd until the end of the season. | Ash Donelon\/Manchester United\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Numerous reports<\/a> have made it abundantly apparent that Carrick will not be treated to any new recruits in January, which is chiefly why the likes of Zirkzee have had their transfer aspirations curtailed for at least six months: United\u2019s squad is nowhere near big enough to willingly thin out.<\/p>\n However, there may still be some new faces among the senior setup.<\/p>\n Carrick was keen to highlight the pathways which exist from the academy to the first team. \u201cEveryone needs a chance, you know,\u201d he reflected during his first week in the job. \u201cEvery younger player needs a chance and wants a chance. It\u2019s up to them to then earn the opportunity.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s always something I\u2019ve been passionate about. Even when I was playing, if a younger player comes into the group, into the squad, I would be helping them and trying to guide them and give them advice. Seeing them flourish and almost fly because they\u2019ve got that feeling they play for the first team and they\u2019ve got that opportunity to come on the pitch.\u201d<\/p>\n This may very well be a savvy ploy to appeal to United\u2019s fanbase. It certainly contrasts sharply with Amorim\u2019s dismissive tone when it came to the club\u2019s \u201centitled\u201d<\/a> youngsters. <\/p>\n Yet, it may be a resource which Carrick is forced to exploit should United\u2019s thin playing reserves get stretched.<\/p>\n READ THE LATEST MAN UTD NEWS, TRANSFER RUMORS AND MORE![\"Joshua](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/01keq5y3n8kjpm0f41gb.jpg\" "\\"Joshua")
<\/p>\n![\"Michael](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/01kf5q5hrmkjy1z8cqbc.jpg\" "\\"Michael")
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