According to reporter Graeme Bailey, Manchester United has fewer games this season, resulting in insufficient playing time for players and causing dissatisfaction.
Due to failing to qualify for European competitions, Manchester United's number of games this season has been significantly reduced, with a maximum of only 36 games. This means that the team only plays one game a week, and many players only get brief opportunities or even start.
Midfielder Menu requested to leave the team on loan during the summer transfer window due to lack of playing time. Despite this, he still appeared regularly as a substitute. However, for some first-team players, getting game time under Amorim has become more difficult.
Zirkzee also had a very difficult start to the 2025/26 season. Zirkzee did not get any playing time in the first two games of the season, and then played 8 minutes and 59 minutes in the games against Grimsby and Burnley respectively. Although he performed well in these games, his subsequent game time against Manchester City and Brentford was very limited, only 10 minutes and 5 minutes respectively.
Zirkzee's dissatisfaction is growing as he hopes to perform at next year's World Cup. Zirkzee does not want to leave Manchester United, but if the lack of playing time continues, he will have to consider leaving the team. United are in no rush to let him leave but could sanction a loan in January. Premier League clubs such as Everton and West Ham United are monitoring Zirkzee's situation, and a number of new clubs have also expressed interest.
In the preseason, B Fee predicted that Zirkzee would have an outstanding season, but this prediction did not come true. Serie A side Parma were interested in Zirkzee but were unable to purchase him due to financial problems. There is news that Zirkzee may be swapped with Suzuki Ayyan in the future. In addition, Feyenoord is also one of the potential destinations. He was a member of the club's youth academy and has always hoped to return to the team.