Manchester United Star Struggles vs Fenerbahce: What 23-year-old Must Do To Become 'Player We Admired'

Following the 1-1 draw with Fenerbahce, Manchester United remains without a win in Europe this season, having drawn their first three matches against FC Twente (1-1), FC Porto (3-3), and then against Jose Mourinho's side on Thursday night. While some United players, like Manuel Ugarte and Andre Onana, impressed against Fenerbahce, others, like Joshua Zirkzee, underperformed.

On Thursday night (October 26), Zirkzee started over in-form Rasmus Hojlund but failed to justify that selection. Aside from setting up Christian Eriksen for his goal 15 minutes into the game, his performance was lacking. The statistics clearly show his struggles: he managed only 21 touches, completed only eight of his 12 passes, lost the ball seven times, won only two of his eight duels, and did not have a single shot on goal.

Watching him, yes, you get the impression he is trying to showcase his brilliance, yet the challenge lies in his inability to align with the rhythm of his teammates. Playing the game at his own pace, which is significantly slower than the match's tempo, causes him to struggle to hold onto the ball, thereby hindering his ability to showcase his true abilities.

What's Being Said About Joshua Zirkzee's Struggles at Manchester United?

Italian football expert Fabio Capello has examined in his Gazzetta dello Sport column why Italian football teams sometimes struggle against teams from the Premier League. Capello suggests that Italian football lacks pace. He contends that Zirkzee's lack of speed in his game hampers his ability to express himself at United, which is why he is finding it difficult to receive the admiration he was enjoying during his time with Bologna.

"Go watch Zirkzee play in the Premier League and tell me if he seems like the same player we admired in Bologna: in Italy he did what he wanted, in England he doesn’t even have time to think about the play before the ball is stolen from him. More or less the same thing happens to our teams."

- Fabio Capello

Zirkzee will certainly need to adapt swiftly to the league, as it won't be easy for him if he doesn't, much like it was for Donny van de Beek, Antony, and Mason Mount.

Is Zirkzee still capable of making an impact for United?

The 23-year-old has the potential to be a valuable asset for United; the coaching staff simply needs to work with him to unlock his abilities. The Dutchman undoubtedly possesses the physical qualities required to thrive in the Premier League.

His time at Bologna demonstrates that he is also technically skilled and capable of both scoring and assisting goals. Ten Hag and his technical staff should prioritize working on Zirkzee's intensity and endurance during training in the hope that he can carry that energy onto the pitch.

As supporters, our role is to support the Dutch striker and trust that Ten Hag trusts him, providing plenty of opportunities to play. With time, we hope he finds his rhythm and gains confidence.