First Man Utd player could quit Old Trafford over Ten Hag sacking as 'January move eyed'

Manchester United are reportedly set to lose their first player in January after sacking Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman was relieved of his duties in a meeting with United’s hierarchy on Monday and his exit could spark a firesale at Old Trafford, with Joshua Zirkzee potentially leading the exodus.

The 23-year-old has struggled since arriving from Bologna in July and reports in Italy have suggested the Dutch forward is already seeking a way out of Manchester – just three months after his big-money switch.

Ten Hag’s departure is only likely to accelerate his escape, as the Dutchman pushed hard to bring in his countryman in a £42million transfer, beating AC Milan and Juventus to his signature.

Despite scoring on his debut against Fulham, Zirkzee been a peripheral presence on the pitch and only has one goal to his name from 13 appearances.

He is already understood to be targeting a return to the Serie A, with Italian outlet Milan Live reporting that Juventus are ready to make a move for Zirkzee ahead of the January transfer window.

The Bianconeri are intending to submit a move for the Netherlands international and it is claimed they could offer a proposal to take Zirkzee on loan, with an option-to-buy clause included if they wish to make the deal permanent.

It remains to be seen whether United would be willing to cut their losses so soon after handing Zirkzee a five-year contract and spending a large fee to acquire him.

The 6ft 4in striker bagged 11 goals in the Serie A last term, which gives some insight into why Ten Hag wanted to recruit him. But the forward is likely to be frustrated if he continues in a bit-part role following Rasmus Hojlund’s return from injury.

Juventus are currently managed by Thiago Motta, who guided Bologna to the Champions League last season before taking over in Turin earlier this summer.

Crucially, his close relationship with Zirkzee means the Italian boss is keen to reunite with the forward at the Allianz Stadium.

Moving to Turin appears to be his only potential destination at present, as Milan have cooled their interest after signing Alvaro Morata from Atletico Madrid and Tammy Abraham on loan from AS Roma.

He could be the first of Ten Hag’s signings to leave with United after the 54-year-old oversaw a summer spend exceeding £200m. He brought in the likes of Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt and Manuel Ugarte, but only Noussair Mazraoui can claim to have made a positive impression.