Joshua Zirkzee names ‘difficult’ opponent he played against before Man Utd transfer, it has only made him sharper

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Manchester United and Netherlands striker Joshua Zirkzee has revealed that a former club teammate was one of the best players of all time in their position.

Joshua Zirkzee arrived at Old Trafford this summer after Manchester United signed him from Serie A side Bologna in a deal worth £36.54m.

The Red Devils opted to pay the fee over a three-year period rather than triggering Zirkzee’s former release clause at Bologna of £33.6m.

Erik ten Hag had been keen to bring a new forward option to Old Trafford after Anthony Martial left United at the end of the 2023-24 season.

Zirkzee missed United’s pre-season after receiving an extended break this summer following his campaign with the Netherlands at Euro 2024 in Germany.

The 23-year-old Dutch forward made the bench for the Community Shield clash earlier this month and was an unused substitute in the defeat to Manchester City.

However, Zirkzee made his United debut last week after he came off the bench and scored the winner in the 1-0 Premier League win against Fulham at Old Trafford.

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Zirkzee on ‘difficult’ player to play against

Erik ten Hag will need to rely on Joshua Zirkzee in the opening weeks of the campaign after Rasmus Hojlund suffered an injury during the pre-season tour.

Zirkzee has already made an impact at Manchester United and the Dutchman could receive his first start for the Red Devils against Brighton on Saturday.

Speaking to Manchester United’s official website, the Netherlands international opened up about his early career at Bayern Munich.

Zirkzee was snapped up from Feyenoord’s academy and brought to Bayern Munich to be part of the German club’s youth set-up.

The United star had loan spells at Parma and Anderlecht during his time at Bayern before he was sold to Bologna in 2022.

Zirkzee, who made 17 appearances for Bayern’s senior team, admitted that he found it “difficult” to play against Manuel Neuer in training sessions at the German club.

“I think it’s basically the same [here] as it was in Munich, to ask the maximum of yourself every day,” he said.

“And so it’s not a big difference thing. Manu [Neuer] is a great person, one of the best goalkeepers of all time.

“So having to score on him in training, definitely, was difficult but, yeah, it was a privilege to be training under these circumstances with these guys and I’ve had a great time over there.

“I think if you ask every young player who was there at the moment, [they] will say they have only good, positive things to say about Bayern. And I’m very thankful for my period over there, but yeah, now I’m here.”

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Zirkzee sends message to Man Utd fans

Zirkzee has told United fans that he can be “unpredictable” at times and believes that he will “entertain” them with what he brings to the pitch as a player.

“[I would say I am] a creative player, good with the ball,” he said.

“I’m just a bit unpredictable at times. So, yeah, I think those are the perfect words for me. [I like to entertain] a little bit.

“It’s best to entertain with the whole team. Not necessarily as an individual, but, yeah, I think, you have to make the fans who come to the stadium happy as well about the game.”