Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag reportedly had no interest in signing Joshua Zirkzee, who arrived at the club in the summer 'overweight'.
The Netherlands international joined the Red Devils for around €42.5m (£35.4m), with the 6ft 4in striker penning a five-year contract at Old Trafford with the option of a further year.
Zirkzee caught the eye of Man United after an impressive 2023-24 campaign with Italian side Bologna, scoring 12 goals and providing seven assists to help the Serie A side qualify for the Champions League.
The 23-year-old was one of five senior signings made by Ten Hag in the summer along with compatriot Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, Leny Yoro and Manuel Ugarte.
Zirkzee scored on his Premier League debut at Old Trafford on the opening weekend of the new season, coming off the substitutes' bench to net a late winner against Fulham, but he has since struggled to reach the heights expected for the Red Devils.
Indeed, Zirkzee has failed to score in each of his last 14 appearances (seven starts and seven substitute outings) for Man United across all competitions.
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Ten Hag was 'unhappy' with Zirkzee's weight
According to The Sun, Ten Hag was left unhappy by the fact that Zirkzee arrived at Man United a stone overweight and it has since taken a while for the striker to get back to his desired shape.
The report adds that Ten Hag was left with no choice but to select Zirkzee in Man United's opening fixtures due to the absence of Rasmus Hojlund through injury.
Hojlund has since made a full recovery, although he has not fared much better in front of goal, scoring just twice in 10 games across all competitions.
Man United have collectively struggled to make the net ripple this season, particularly in the Premier League as they have scored just nine goals in their opening 10 matches; only Southampton (seven) and Crystal Palace (eight) have netted fewer.
Zirkzee will hope to prove his worth at Man United under new head coach Ruben Amorim, who will officially take charge of the club on November 11 when he can begin to assess his squad over the international break.
Man United's No.11, who still has over four years remaining on his contract, has recently been linked with a surprise January switch to Juventus, but the striker allegedly has no intention of leaving Old Trafford.
Oliver Thomas
