Manchester United have secured the services of Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna. The Dutch striker has penned a deal that will last until June 2029, with the option to extend for a further year. Here we take a look at what the 23-year-old striker can offer Erik ten Hag’s side?
Zirkzee scored 11 league goals as Bologna secured Champions League qualification last season. He was mostly deployed as a lone striker by Thiago Motta in a 4-2-3-1 and sometimes in a 4-3-3 formation. At Man United Ten Hag has usually preferred going with a sole striker. which makes Zirkzee relatively easier to handle as he has done for Bologna.
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The Dutch striker is the type of player that likes to drop back and help with the build up. This makes him well suited to play alongside a striking partner. He can form a good partnership with Rasmus Hojlund and increase Manchester United’s ability to get more goals.
With Ruud Van Nistelrooy now involved in Man United’s managerial team, he might just be the right man to get the best out of Zirkzee. The former PSV coach had a successful stay at Old Trafford in the early 2000s. He is adored by the fans and can share his experience with the young Dutch striker.
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Under INEOS the football structure is taking shape. Zirkzee seems to be one of the missing pieces in transforming the club's success. He has already played for a big club like Bayern Munich and is well aware of the pressure that comes with it. He also helped transform the fortunes of Bologna under the leadership of Motta.
Given his young age Zirkzee can further improve and become one of the best strikers in the world. Comparisons have already been made with great Dutch strikers of the past. But his former coach paints another comparison. “He said his idols are Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Gabriel Batistuta, who are two excellent players, but, seeing him day to day, he reminds me of the Ronaldinho I played with at Barcelona,” said Motta. “But I cannot compare him to anyone. He is just Joshua, and he is special.”
Manchester United hope that Zirkzee will inspire the team’s quest to return to former glory. On paper Zirkzee ticks all the boxes. Whether that will fully be transformed to the pitch remains to be seen.