Joshua Zirkzee knows first-hand just how fearsome his Manchester United teammate can be as an opponent.
Fortunately, the £35 million signing from Bologna has the luxury of playing alongside him rather than against him when the competitive action starts.
And that is just as well. Because Joshua Zirkzee, still only a few months into his Manchester United career, has come up against Matthijs de Ligt often enough on the training pitch to realise what a top-class centre-half the Red Devils have on their hands.
Speaking before Manchester United dropped vital Europa League points to FC Twente on Thursday night, Zirkzee highlighted both the role De Ligt has played in helping a fellow Dutchman settle at Old Trafford, as well as the ‘mentality’ and competitiveness he offers on and off the pitch.
Joshua Zirkzee lauds Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt
“He is just the kind of player you want in your team,” Zirkzee smiles. “He’s always talking. He’s always trying to get the maximum out of himself for the team. He plays for the team and he has a good mentality.
“So it is just good to have him on your side and not against you!”
Zirkzee was ‘super happy’ to see De Ligt score a Man United goal for the first time in the recent 3-0 win at Southampton.
Especially after the £38 million signing from Bayern Munich returned from the international break with a point to prove. De Ligt had been criticised in his homeland after making a couple of errors in UEFA Nations League action.
“Matthijs is a good friend of mine,” Zirkzee adds, having already shared a dressing room with De Ligt both at Bayern and with the senior Dutch side. “I knew him from Bayern. The national team as well.
“I was just very happy for him [to score against Southampton]. Not that he was affected by [the criticism], but there have been some words about him because of what happened in the national team.
“So I was just extra happy for him to get that goal.”
Zirkzee glad to work with Noussair Mazraoui and Christian Eriksen
De Ligt was rested by Ten Hag as Man United showcased their old failings against Twente.
While United’s Christian Eriksen and Andre Onana copped most of the criticism – the former caught in possession while the latter was beaten at his near post by Sam Lammers – it is hard to imagine De Ligt diving in and committing himself like Harry Maguire did in the build up to Twente’s leveller.
Zirkzee, by the way, was arguably United’s sharpest customer at the other end.
There were a few delightful combinations with Marcus Rashford. Zirkzee, still awaiting his second Red Devils goal, also stung the palms of visiting keeper Lars Unnerstall as he danced past a Twente defender and fired towards the top corner from a tight angle.
Zirkzee, despite a lack of goals, has settled impressively in England.
Fellow United newcomer Noussair Mazraoui praised De Ligt for helping him settle at Old Trafford this week. Zirkzee is equally effusive, with Eriksen and Tyrell Malacia also among a strong core of Dutch speakers.
“To be honest, I have good relationships with everyone,” Zirkzee adds.
“Obviously the guys who speak Dutch – Matthijs, Nouss, Tyrell and Christian – have made it easy. But I find it very easy to be with anyone in this team.
“I have no issues there.”
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