Shortly after completing the signing of Joshua Zirkzee, Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag explained how the Dutchman would bring something ‘completely different’ to the table.
The £35 million attacker may not possess the same 30-goal-a-season potential as Rasmus Hojlund – he describes himself as more a ‘nine-and-a-half’ than a classic centre-forward – but Joshua Zirkzee is the sort of player who raises the levels of everyone he comes into contact with.
Labelled the ‘best in Serie A’ by a former Bologna team-mate, Zirkzee possesses that Dimitar Berbatov-style ability to drop deep, knit the play together, and open up spaces for others to run into.
The former Bayern Munich starlet has provided a few tantalising glimpses of his potential at Manchester United.
Against Fulham on the opening day, Zirkzee showcased what Ten Hag meant when he said the Dutchman possessed ‘certain skills that we (did) not have’ previously; drifting into the number ten role, moving the ball out wide and then darting into the penalty area to convert Alejandro Garnacho’s searching cross for a debut goal.
Joshua Zirkzee shines ahead of Manchester United return
A dazzling display during the Netherlands’ 5-2 hammering of Bosnia on Saturday could hardly have been better timed either, following on from some very harsh and extremely premature criticism following the recent 3-0 defeat to Liverpool.
And Dutch icon Rafael van der Vaart, mirroring compatriot Ten Hag, is excited by what he sees from a striker who offers something very different not only for his club but for his country too.
“He is actually the ideal striker, which we have not had for a long time,” the former Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur ace tells Studio Voetbal. “He has everything. Speed, he can play along (the ground) well, score a goal, you name it.
“He has gone to a big club now. That also helps (with) confidence. He has brought that with him to the Dutch national team.
“He was a pleasure to watch.”
Only just the fourth Dutch player since 1978 to score and assist in the same match on his full international debut, per Opta Johan, Zirkzee flicked a clever header into the bottom corner on just the 13th minute before setting up Tijanni Reijnders just before the break.
A mouth-watering sight for the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo, Zirkzee a player who can create chances as well as take them especially when paired with an advanced number eight with good ball-striking and box-crashing talents.
“The combination between Reijnders and Zirkzee, I thought that was one of the most beautiful football moments I’ve seen in a long time,” former Ajax midfielder Kenneth Perez tells Voetbalpraat. “It was so fluid, between two players who actually hadn’t played football with each other (before).”
Bruno Fernandes should benefit from Dutchman’s arrival
It is certainly not hard to imagine Fernandes, in particular, thriving alongside Zirkzee.
The Portuguese ‘Magnifico’s most potent goalscoring seasons came when he played in behind Anthony Martial, and Zirkzee shares the Frenchman’s vision and appreciation of space.
“It’s great when you have a striker who you can pass to, who isn’t afraid,” Ruud Gullit, a Ballon D’Or winner in 1987, explains on Rondo. “He just gets it. He’s so much fun to watch.
“That’s a real striker. He can pass well, he sees (the game) very well. I had the feeling that he could have had three assists.
“He knows exactly where to run and just makes sure he’s in contact between the lines every time. That’s really nice, and I also think that’s why the midfield played so well. If he drops back, then you get a flowing Dutch team.”
Zirkzee will hope to take his sparkling Oranje form into Red Devils duty this weekend. Man United host Southampton in Saturday’s early kick-off.
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
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