Manchester United reject £10m loan bid for Joshua Zirkzee

Manchester United spurred a wave of anger among supporters after turning down an unexpected late-summer proposal from Everton to take Joshua Zirkzee on a one-year loan. The offer reportedly included a £10 million fee and Everton taking on the striker's full wages — terms which many fans think the club should have accepted.

Why the move mattered

Zirkzee arrived at Manchester United from Bologna in 2024 for about £36.5 million but has struggled to force his way into the front line. English reports say Benjamin Šeško, Bryan Mbeumo, Mateus Cunha and Marcus Rashford are currently ahead of him in the striker hierarchy, limiting his prospects for significant playing time this season.

Everton, reeling from a failed attempt to sign Folarin Balogun and after allowing Beto to join Fiorentina for around £17 million, were reportedly prepared to make Zirkzee a short-term priority. With the squad thin on experienced forwards, manager David Moyes had looked to the loan market for reinforcements.

Instead Manchester United declined the offer. The decision provoked incredulity online: a fan wrote on social media, "These people are idiots. £10 million for a loan, and you said no." Supporters argued the club missed an opportunity to both clear a peripheral squad member and generate significant income for a player who is not part of the immediate plans.

For Zirkzee, the rejection means he will likely remain at Old Trafford competing for minutes in a crowded attacking group. For Everton, the failed move leaves manager Moyes with only one senior forward, Tierno Barry, available to lead the line unless the club secures another signing.

Both clubs now prepare for the coming fixtures with Manchester United managing a fuller squad and Everton scrambling for additional attacking options after a turbulent closing period of the transfer window.

Photo: press material from the event