Joshua Zirkzee reveals two legendary former players had major impact on him, one was former Man Utd star

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Manchester United summer signing Joshua Zirkzee has admitted that there were two legendary former players who influenced him when he was growing up.

The Red Devils snapped up Netherlands striker Joshua Zirkzee in a deal worth £36.54m from Serie A side Bologna this summer.

Manchester United opted for a higher fee than Zirkzee’s former release clause of £33.6m, with the Red Devils paying the transfer over a three-year period.

Zirkzee has become a new attacking option to Erik ten Hag’s first-team United squad after Anthony Martial left Old Trafford at the end of last season.

The 23-year-old Dutch forward was absent from the pre-season tour this summer, having represented the Netherlands at Euro 2024 in Germany.

Zirkzee was also an unused substitute in the penalty shootout defeat to Manchester City at Wembley in the Community Shield earlier this month.

The Netherlands international had to settle for a place on the bench for United’s Premier League opener against Fulham before making his debut as a substitute.

And Zirkzee made his mark for United in the Premier League clash at Old Trafford last week, with the former Bologna man scoring the winner against Fulham.

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Zirkzee talks two important influences

Joshua Zirkzee will be important to Erik ten Hag’s striking options after Rasmus Hojlund was ruled out of action for the opening weeks of the season due to injury.

Speaking to Manchester United’s official website, Zirkzee revealed that Brazil legend Ronaldinho was a “hero” for him and his “favourite” player growing up.

The United star has even been compared to former Barcelona superstar Ronaldinho, who is considered one of the best players of all time, in the past.

Zirkzee also insisted that ex-United and Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic became another legendary former player who influenced him.

“Ronaldinho was, for sure, my hero,” he said.

“As I grew older, Ibrahimovic as well was someone I really looked up to, but I think Ronaldinho was my favourite.”

READ MORE: Gary Neville identifies ‘imbalance’ in Erik ten Hag’s team when two Man Utd players are absent ahead of new season

Zirkzee on signing for Man Utd

Zirkzee spoke openly about his decision to leave Bologna in the summer and revealed it was not “difficult” to make the switch to Old Trafford.

“I think it [leaving Champions League football at Bologna for United] says a lot,” he said.

“I have a lot of trust and a good feeling about this step. It wasn’t a difficult decision.

“I mean, I love Bologna a lot, but, yeah, Manchester United just gave me a very, very good feeling and [I am] very confident what’s planned will also happen.”