When discussing the virtues of one new addition to Manchester United’s squad, the conversation usually turns to the impact he tends to have on his team-mates.
A tally of 12 goals in 37 games is certainly not one that will have Red Devils fans expecting the second coming of Ruud van Nistelrooy.
But, as Joshua Zirkzee himself says, he is more of a ‘nine-and-a-half’ than a classic number nine.
A footballer who prides himself not so much on his poaching ability but on his skill, creativity and his penchant for turning ordinary situations into something a little extraordinary.
The Manchester United faithful have had to be patient with Zirkzee so far. A late summer’s holiday after Euro 2024 means he has not featured under Erik ten Hag yet, either in pre-season or during the Community Shield.
But should the Dutchman make his long-awaited debut in Friday’s Premier League opener with Fulham, do not be surprised to see Marcus Rashford, Amad Diallo, Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho immediately benefit from his presence leading the line.
Joshua Zirkzee awaiting Manchester United debut
Former Bologna team-mate Riccardo Orsolini credited Zirkzee with helping to coax a career-best 2023/24 campaign out of him.
AC Milan icon Riccardo Montolivo, meanwhile, is disappointed he will not get the chance to see a ‘master’ link-man open up spaces for Rafael Leao, Christian Pulisic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek to dart into at the Serie A giants.
“I would have liked to see Zirkzee at AC Milan,” Montolivo says, speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport. “Because he would have enhanced the runs of Leao, Pulisic, and Loftus-Cheek.
“He was, in short, the ideal offensive director for the Rossoneri.”
It is no secret that AC Milan were desperate to bring in Zirkzee this summer.
Man United stepped in and swooped as those talks stalled, however, making the one-time Bayern Munich youngster the first signing of the Ineos era to the tune of £35 million.
The current Serie A Young Player of the Year has been labelled the finest centre-forward in the league by another one-time Bologna team-mate.
And while Montolivo does not go quite that far, he does feel that Juventus’ £72 million frontman Dusan Vlahovic would benefit from taking a leaf out of Zirkzee’s book with the latter a far better all-round player than the former.
“What is Vlahovic missing to become the ideal centre forward? He should take on less responsibility,” Montolivo adds. “It seems to me that he wants to take on the whole weight of the team, and this leads him to always be a bit nervous and argumentative on the pitch.
“He should appear more carefree. Can he do Zirkzee’s job in Bologna? No, they are different players.
“Vlahovic does not have the ability to link the game. He is more of a centre forward from the penalty area, very good at attacking the near post and volleying balls. If he has a flaw it is in the game with his back to the goal, that is, in defending the ball and playing with his team-mates.
“Things in which Zirkzee is a master.”
Red Devils host Fulham in Premier League opener
With Bruno Fernandes impressing as a false nine against City at Wembley, Ten Hag may opt to introduce Zirkzee off the bench against Marco Silva’s Cottagers side.
The Dutchman is wary of expecting too much too soon from his compatriot, especially after such a hectic summer.
“He will have to make a step up and we will have to help him,” Ten Hag told ITV Sport. “It’s not like when you have a proper pre-season with the team. He went to the Euros so had to train on his own. We will need time to fit him in and that will take some weeks”.
“He is really hungry to do this because he is looking forward and he is also very excited to be coming into the Premier League. To come to Manchester United and on his first occasion go to Wembley, of course that will highly motivate him, that’s for sure.
“But he is also short (of fitness) in training.”
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