Joshua Zirkzee’s rollercoaster journey at Manchester United continues, and the Dutch striker remains one of the most unpredictable — yet potentially game-changing — players in the squad. While inconsistency has frustrated fans and coaches alike, his ability to produce magical moments from nothing makes him far too valuable to let slip away during the January transfer window.

December 2024 set the tone for Zirkzee’s United story: a two-goal performance against Everton followed by humiliation against Newcastle, where he was substituted after just 33 minutes to the audible mockery of his own supporters. Fast forward a year, and Zirkzee’s status is still complex. He had not started a match until late November, prompting whispers among fans that his future at the club could be limited.

But when called upon, Zirkzee has the ability to turn matches on their head. Against Crystal Palace, he transformed a dull performance into a hero’s moment, scoring a brilliant goal and assisting in the winning play. Fans in the away end at Selhurst Park even chanted his name to the tune of Daft Punk’s “One More Time” — a reminder of how quickly perceptions can change.

Zirkzee’s career at United has often followed this pattern. After being jeered at Newcastle, he bounced back with a winning penalty against Arsenal in the FA Cup and scored in crucial Europa League away games against Real Sociedad and Lyon. He became a cult figure among supporters despite limited opportunities.

Yet, his role remains precarious. Following injuries and the arrival of £200 million worth of new attacking talent, Zirkzee has struggled to secure consistent playing time. Reports of frustration and interest from other clubs have surfaced, with Everton, West Ham, and several Italian teams, including Roma, monitoring his situation.

However, selling Zirkzee in January carries high risk and low reward. Interest from Roma is loan-based with conditions tied to Champions League qualification — a deal that provides United little certainty or immediate benefit. His flashes of brilliance, coupled with his potential to be a difference-maker in key moments, suggest that Manchester United should think twice before allowing him to depart.

In a squad with an already-packed attacking roster, Zirkzee’s unpredictability might just be exactly what United needs to turn tight games in their favor. For a player capable of producing moments of magic out of nothing, letting him go in January would be a gamble United cannot afford to take.

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A Wild Premier League Night Ends With A Respectful Pep–Chukwueze Moment

The Premier League delivered pure chaos at Craven Cottage — nine goals, breathtaking football, and one Nigerian winger who nearly flipped the script on the defending champions.

But beyond the 5–4 scoreline, one moment stole the spotlight:
Pep Guardiola walking straight to Samuel Chukwueze, sharing a hug, a laugh, and a short conversation that instantly set the internet buzzing.

Chukwueze Turns The Game On Its Head

Fulham were buried 5–1 when Chukwueze came on at half-time.
Then everything changed.

With speed, flair, and confidence that looked straight out of his Villarreal days, the 26-year-old fired in a brilliant brace — two goals in eight minutes — and suddenly, City were sweating.

His directness troubled Guardiola’s side all game, and his performance felt like a declaration:

Chukwueze has arrived in the Premier League.

Pep Guardiola Was Clearly Impressed

Cameras picked up the moment right after full-time:

• Pep walks directly to Chukwueze

• Wraps him in a warm hug

• Shares a laugh

• And keeps talking as they walk together off the pitch

It wasn’t a polite “well played.”
It was genuine admiration.

And football fans — especially in the transfer-driven sports market — noticed immediately.

Social media exploded with comments like:

• “Pep loves him. City move loading?”

• “Chukwueze cooking City and still getting hugged — Pep really wants him.”

Given City’s struggles to find a Raheem Sterling–type winger since 2022, the speculation isn’t far-fetched.

Transfer Whispers Begin To Grow

Chukwueze is currently on loan from AC Milan, but nights like this don’t go unnoticed:

• Top managers start paying attention

• Clubs begin reassessing their scouting

• And players suddenly find themselves on bigger radars

With City lacking a consistent right-sided goal threat, Chukwueze’s explosive style fits a lot of what Guardiola loves — pace, bravery, unpredictability.

And when Pep hugs you like that?
The football world takes notes.

What’s Next For Chukwueze?

His Fulham form is picking up rapidly, and if he keeps producing moments like this, the summer transfer window will be very interesting.

For now, though, one thing is clear:

Pep respected what he saw.
Chukwueze made a statement.
And the Premier League just got even more exciting.

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Salah On The Bench Again — And Liverpool Fans Want Answers

Liverpool fans did a double take when the team sheet dropped.
For the second Premier League game running, Mohamed Salah started on the bench — something that simply never happens with a player who has been the face of Liverpool for nearly a decade.

Against West Ham, he didn’t play a single minute.
Against Sunderland, he finally got on at half-time… but failed to spark the magic as Liverpool stumbled to a 1–1 draw.

Rotation?
Disagreement?
Decline?
Everyone had an opinion — so Arne Slot stepped in to explain.

Slot: “We Need The Full Squad Tonight”

Speaking to Sky Sports, Slot insisted the decision was tactical, not political:

“It’s a balance between continuity and freshness… It’s obvious we need the full squad. A few who start aren’t able to play 90 minutes again.”

He made sure to praise Salah’s attitude as well:

“Mo trains really good and is positive towards his team-mates. He’s an example when he plays, and now he’s an example when he doesn’t.”

Translation?
Salah is handling the situation like a pro — but Liverpool’s season is demanding rotation, even for club icons.

A Rare Sight: Salah’s Reduced Role

For context:

• Salah has 250 goals in 420 games for Liverpool

• He has played almost every match for eight straight seasons

• At 33, he’s entering the “managed minutes” era

• Slot is trying to rebuild consistency after Liverpool’s title run last year

Still… for a player of Salah’s stature, back-to-back benchings set off alarms across the sports market.

Jamie Redknapp: “This Won’t End Well”

Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp didn’t sugarcoat things.

To him, this feels like the beginning of the end:

“I’ll be gobsmacked if he sees out the last two years of his contract.”

Redknapp even called this moment a breaking point in the relationship:

• Salah won’t want to be a rotational option

• He didn’t sign a new contract to sit on the bench

• He may start considering moves — Europe, MLS, or Saudi Arabia

Redknapp summed it up with brutal clarity:

“No one is indispensable. Time waits for no one.”

Is A Transfer Now Inevitable?

If Slot continues using him as a “half-time hero,” the pressure will only grow.

And with Liverpool performing surprisingly well without him in some matches, the debate gets louder:

Is this a tactical phase?
Or the slow fading out of a club legend?

Either way, the Salah story is far from over — and the best sport blog in the market (yes, that’s us 😎) will keep following every detail.

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