Former England manager Fabio Capello has opened up on the major concerns that he has spotted from Joshua Zirkzee during the player’s spell at Manchester United.
Netherlands striker Joshua Zirkzee left Serie A side Bologna and completed a move to Old Trafford in July in a deal worth £36.54m.
The 23-year-old Dutch forward has made 12 appearances across all competitions in the current campaign, with Zirkzee netting once and assisting once.
Zirkzee had impressed on his Manchester United debut in August after he climbed off the bench and scored the winner in a 1-0 victory over Fulham at Old Trafford.
The former Bologna man has been praised for his excellent link-up play at times, but Zirkzee has struggled to add to his goalscoring tally since his Premier League debut.
Capello on Zirkzee and Man Utd
Joshua Zirkzee picked up his first assist for Manchester United on Thursday evening in the 1-1 Europa League draw against Turkish side Fenerbahce.
However, the Netherlands international made way in the second half after Erik ten Hag hooked him off and replaced him with United striker Rasmus Hojlund.
Zirkzee has made eight Premier League appearances to date and only managed four starts, with the Dutch attacker coming off the bench in his last league appearance.
Ten Hag took Rasmus Hojlund off in the second half and brought Zirkzee on in his place for the 2-1 comeback win against Brentford last weekend.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Fabio Capello admitted that Zirkzee is nowhere near the same player who was deeply “admired” at Italian side Bologna.
“After Bologna’s defeat at Aston Villa, I asked [Bologna manager] Italiano [Vincenzo] what impression he had of the two English teams he faced immediately, Aston Villa and Liverpool,” he said.
“He replied: ‘They run, they go faster, they have a different pace.’
“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.”
Ten Hag backing Zirkzee at Man Utd
United manager Ten Hag previously reiterated his commitment to backing Zirkzee and has backed the Red Devils striker to succeed at Old Trafford.
“Yes, I do [think he can become a prolific goalscorer for United],” he said in September.
“Sure, he is young. We see his great abilities. He is a very good link-up player, as you say, he is creative.
“He is creating chances but be fair, also he has his moments towards the goal from the opposition.
“I think it was a great action he had [against FC Twente] and a great finish he had, top save from the ‘keeper but in that area, he can definitely improve.
“We know he has some very good attributes, and he has to improve, and he needs our support on how to improve.”
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