A draw with Fenerbahce hardly lifts the mood at Manchester United but at least there were some positives to be taken in the performances of Andre Onana, Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee.
Not for the first time this season, Onana saved Man United further humiliation with a remarkable double save.
Manuel Ugarte, on a rare start for the £42 million deadline day arrival, denied Fenerbahce an almost certain goal himself. A heroic, last-ditch block of his own.
As for Joshua Zirkzee, a first goal since the opening day victory over Fulham remains elusive.
But the role he played in Christian Eriksen’s Manchester United opener provided a timely reminder as to why Dutch international Zirkzee has been labelled ‘the best in the world’ when it comes to linking the play and creating chances from his self-proclaimed false nine role.
Joshua Zirkzee Manchester United rumours played down
Dropping deep to pick up possession in trademark fashion, Zirkzee first played the ball in behind the Fenerbahce backline for the quicksilver Alejandro Garnacho.
And, after receiving it again inside the penalty area, Zirkzee’s lay-off was perfectly-weighted for an in-form Eriksen to fire home his fourth goal from just 10 appearances.
A sluggish start to life in England has sparked speculation that Zirkzee could reunite with his former Bologna boss Thiago Motta at Juventus. Legendary tactician Fabio Capello certainly feels that Zirkzee is the missing piece in Juventus’ jigsaw.
But transfer expert Fabrizio Romano insists that neither Man United nor their rangy number 11 has any immediate plans to cut their losses.
“One of the questions of the recent days; many of you [have been] sending me some stories from Italy about Joshua Zirkzee maybe already thinking of leaving Manchester United in a potential shock story in the January transfer window,” Romano says.
“[There have been] links with Juventus, links with more clubs in Italy.
“Joshua Zirkzee was very happy in Italy. That is clear. Joshua Zirkzee was fantastic. But Joshua Zirkzee strongly wanted to go to Manchester United. Joshua Zirkzee decided to go to Manchester United three months ago.
“So to think that Joshua Zirkzee after three months is already planning to leave the club and try something different, this is something that Zirkzee is not doing.”
Man United taking Rasmus Hojlund route with Zirkzee
Romano highlights the similarities between Zirkzee’s situation and the one facing fellow Serie A import Rasmus Hojlund when he arrived at Old Trafford from Atalanta back in 2023.
Erik ten Hag had to wait until after Christmas for Hojlund to open his Premier League tally. Man United’s faith has now belatedly rewarded, the deadly Dane going from strength-to-strength over the last 10 months.
And the belief is that Zirkzee, still only 23 and playing in England for the first time, deserves time to get used to a brand new environment and those inflated expectations.
“Zirkzee is fully focused on Manchester United,” Romano adds. “Of course, it takes some time. He is a young guy. This is a new league, a new club, a new pressure.
“Manchester United are more than happy to wait for Joshua Zirkzee [to adapt], the same as they did with Rasmus Hojlund.”
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