Ruben Amorim has been urged to put faith in Joshua Zirkzee rather than accept the Manchester United striker's reported request for a quick exit in January. Zirkzee has desperately struggled at the start of his Red Devils career, fuelling speculation surrounding his future ahead of the transfer window of Amorim's reign.
Reports in Italy claim the 23-year-old has instructed his representatives to find him a new club this winter, just months after landing at Old Trafford from Bologna.
According to the Manchester Evening News, United figures share serious doubts about Zirkzee, despite making him the first signing of the Ineos era in a £36.5million deal.
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The Netherlands international enjoyed a dream start to life in Manchester, netting the winning goal off the bench in a 1-0 victory over Fulham on the Premier League's opening weekend.
However, he has embarked on a woeful 17-match goal drought since that memorable night in M16 and doesn't fit the mould of striker that Amorim utilised at Sporting.
With Marcus Rashford starting up front in Sunday's 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town, Zirkzee appears to be third in the pecking order behind the United No. 10 and Rasmus Hojlund.
And his highlight in his substitute cameo was ballooning an effort miles over the bar despite letting fly in acres of space.
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Despite his latest underwhelming outing in East Anglia, Zirkzee has a fan in former United winger Lee Sharpe, who has tasked Amorim with getting the best out of him.
"I don't think he's out of the running in the team yet. He's still new to the club. He's not been there long at all," Sharpe told Express Sport with Racing Tipster.
"I think he's still got to find his consistency and find his game - and to do that, he's got to play regularly. I think there is a proper player in there. I think he reads the game really well.
"He gave the ball away a little bit sloppily last night [against Ipswich] at times, but [you can] probably put that down to maybe coming on a little bit cold in what was a pretty high-paced game at times.
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"But he's got an amazing touch. He reads the game really well. I think he's really good at one touch, putting people in and creating chances for people.
"So I think there's definitely a player in him. And yeah, I think it's down to the manager to find his best position and get him the ball as often as you can to feed others."
With Amorim hinting at his plans to rotate his United side to help the players adapt to his fresh instructions, Zirkzee will hope for an opportunity to impress in the coming weeks.
Bodo/Glimt visit Old Trafford in the Europa League on Thursday before Everton descend on M16 in Sunday's Premier League clash.
