I was glued to the TV on December 30, 2025, when Manchester United hosted Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford, and I still can't get my head around what I saw. United were massive favorites—runaway favorites, really—against the Premier League's bottom side, but they stumbled to a 1-1 draw that felt more like a defeat. As a neutral who has watched Amorim's project with interest, I was gobsmacked. The Red Devils had a golden chance to make a statement, and instead they let Wolves off the hook. That night, one decision stood out like a sore thumb: Joshua Zirkzee, who had scored the opening goal, was hooked at half-time. Tactical, Amorim said. Tactical? I nearly spat out my tea.

The match itself was a strange one. Zirkzee opened the scoring, and for a moment I thought United would run away with it. But Ladislav Krejki leveled for Wolves, and from there the visitors defended like their lives depended on it. United huffed and puffed, pushed bodies forward, and still couldn't find that crucial winner. Wolves, bottom of the table, looked resolute, organized, and—dare I say it—the more coherent team in the final third. United's attack was about as sharp as a spoon. I've seen better penetration from a Sunday league side.

Then came the half-time change. Zirkzee, the scorer, was withdrawn. Amorim later called it "tactical" in his post-match interview, but I'm not buying it. Neither was Laurie Whitwell of The Athletic, who posted on X: "Taking off Zirkzee at half-time for tactical reasons is quite astounding. United needed more players in the box to unsettle Wolves — look at how Dorgu's disallowed goal came. That sub, plus reverting to back three, big questions for Amorim." Spot on, Laurie. Spot on. When a team is crying out for bodies in the box, you don't remove the one striker who actually found the net. That's not tactics; that's self-sabotage.

I've covered enough football to know that when a manager makes a call like that, it's rarely just about the match. It's a message. And the message to Zirkzee seems loud and clear: you're not part of the plan. The numbers back it up. So far this term, Zirkzee has started just four times in the Premier League and completed 90 minutes on only two occasions. For a 24-year-old forward with his best years ahead of him, that's criminal waste. He's clearly out of favor under Amorim, and the writing is on the wall.

Here's a quick snapshot of his situation:

Metric	Zirkzee at Man United (2025-26 PL)
Premier League starts	4
Full 90-minute matches	2
Half-time sub vs Wolves	1 (after scoring)
Reported January interest	Roma

Roma are reportedly keen to sign him in the January transfer window, and honestly, who could blame them? Zirkzee is a good forward. He's not a world-beater, but he's technically sound, link-up play is tidy, and he knows where the goal is. At Old Trafford, though, he's been treated like a spare part. I've seen this movie before. Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund both took flak at United, then moved to Italy and flourished in Serie A. McTominay became a midfield monster, Hojlund started banging them in. If Zirkzee follows the same path, I'd expect him to do the same. Serie A has a way of reviving players who were once scapegoated in England.

Now, in 2026, this feels like a sliding doors moment. The January window may be in the rearview mirror, but the questions haven't gone away. Amorim still has to answer for that substitution, and Zirkzee still has to decide whether to fight for his place or pack his bags. If I were him, I'd be on the phone to my agent. Old Trafford is unlikely to be the place where he shows his qualities. Some players just need a change of scenery, and Italy has been a magic tonic for United's cast-offs.

Let's be clear: I'm not saying Zirkzee is the second coming of Ronaldo. But he's 24, he's hungry, and he's shown flashes. Amorim's lack of trust is palpable. When you hook a scorer at half-time for "tactical" reasons, you're not just making a game management call—you're telling the world you don't rate him. That's a bitter pill for any player to swallow. And for United, it raises bigger questions: why buy him in the first place? Why not give him a proper run? Why keep reverting to a back three that clearly isn't working?

The draw with Wolves was a bitter blow for Amorim, but it was his decision that left people shocked. I count myself among them. The Red Devils needed more players in the box, not fewer. They needed to unsettle Wolves, not hand them a reprieve. Instead, Amorim took off his only goalscorer and watched United huff and puff to a stalemate. That's not good enough for a club of United's stature.

As 2026 unfolds, I'll be watching Zirkzee's next move closely. If Roma come calling, he should go. He's got too much talent to rot on the bench. And if he does leave, don't be surprised if he follows the McTominay and Hojlund playbook: struggle in Manchester, shine in Italy. That's the trend, and I'd bet my bottom dollar on it.

For Amorim, the pressure is mounting. Big questions remain, and one tactical sub won't be forgotten anytime soon. United fans deserve better, and Zirkzee deserves a fair shot—whether that's at Old Trafford or somewhere else. I know which one I'd choose.