Manchester United have a ‘completely different’ player, Erik ten Hag says

Add as preferred source on Google

Part of the concern among Manchester United fans right now is that not enough has changed from last season.

There have been coaching changes behind the scenes, and a couple of new signings, but trouble with outgoings means the team which will line-up in the Community Shield won’t be noticeably changed from last season. One new signing is even injured already.

The biggest hope for ‘change’ is the new signing who is fit, who we have not seen in action yet, Joshua Zirkzee.

Zirkzee was United’s first summer signing, bought from Bologna for £36 million, and he is now training with the Manchester United first team ahead of his debut.

• READ: Who is Joshua Zirkzee? Meet the 6’4″ Man Utd signing who reminds Thiago Motta of Ronaldinho

Erik ten Hag on Joshua Zirkzee

Erik ten Hag is excited about the impact Joshua Zirkzee could have on the team, as he believes the Dutch forward is the type of player Manchester United did not have last season.

He was quoted via Voetbal International: “Zirkzee has certain skills that we do not have. He is creative, can dribble from the combination and come from the striker. And we did not have that skill set.

“He is a completely different type than what we already had.”

At his best, this was the kind of impact Anthony Martial was able to have, holding the ball up and linking with his teammates. But Manchester United fans have not seen much of that over the past few seasons before his recent release.

Zirkzee was highly effective in his role for unfancied Bologna last season, helping them earn a Champions League spot, which he has walked out on to join United.

The Dutchman makes United’s attack more unpredictable, adding variation and extra ball retention into the team’s forward play, which was sorely lacking last season.

Zirkzee can play in a multitude of roles, crucially playing up front leading the line, or in a supporting role, complimenting Rasmus Hojlund, who is injured to start the season.

He may not be rushed into action, with Jadon Sancho potentially in line to start against City, but a strong substitute showing could bring Zirkzee into focus for the Premier League kick-off.

• READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25

Zirkzee a ‘9.5’

Joshua Zirkzee allowed Rasmus Hojlund to take the number nine shirt, and he has taken the number 11 squad number.

It’s not something he was too hung up on, because in Zirkzee’s own words, he does not see himself as a traditional number nine, or a 10. Instead, he says he is a combination of the two.

Backing Ten Hag’s view of him being ‘different’, Zirkzee explained via The Mirror last week: “I occasionally drop down to midfield. I don’t do that for myself but to help the team.

“I am what I call a false striker. Not a No 9, not a No 10. I am a 9.5! That’s my game. Maybe I’m a little different than others. But being different is good, right?”