It’s always a bold move claiming that any centre-forward is ‘better than Erling Haaland’.
Especially when you’re talking about a man who scored only 14 goals in the last two seasons, compared to the staggering 90 tallied by the Man City talisman.
But what Joshua Zirkzee maybe lacks when it comes to that killer instinct inside the penalty area, Manchester United’s new £36 million signing more than makes up for when it comes to his ability to bamboozle defenders, link the play, and open up spaces for his grateful team-mates.
“Zirkzee is better than Erling Haaland at everything,” Voetbal International journalist Souleyman Ozturk said back in 2022.
“Now you may be dismayed because of this statement. But I will frame it. (Zirkzee) has vision, technique, strength, charisma, flair, footballing ability. He is therefore better than Haaland in almost everything.
“Imagine if Zirkzee had the energy and focus of Haaland. Then he would be the best striker in the world.”
Joshua Zirkzee could transform Manchester United
The task facing Zirkzee at Old Trafford, now, is to prove that such statements are not entirely wide of the mark.
The former Bologna, Bayern Munich and Feyenoord forward is probably unlikely to challenge Haaland in the Golden Boot race. But do not be surprised if his presence in the ‘false nine’ role brings far more out of those around him.
A Roberto Firmino-like presence potentially coaxing out Mo Salah and Sadio Mane-type performances out of Marcus Rashford, Amad Diallo and the ever-improving Alejandro Garnacho.
Ahead of a potential Man United debut in Friday’s Premier League curtain-raiser at home to Fulham, Belgian reporter Filip Joos cannot figure out why Pep Guardiola did not hi-jack Erik ten Hag’s deal.
Particularly with Man City always likely to lose the now Atletico Madrid-bound Julian Alvarez.
“He is just insanely good,” Joos tells Play Sports on YouTube, claiming that Zirkzee is ‘the best in the world’ at doing what he does.
“I don’t understand why Guardiola doesn’t get Zirkzee. I really don’t get it. Then, Haaland would have a problem. Not necessarily (with regards) goals, because Haaland scores 40.
“But put Zirkzee in that team, and Foden scores one and a half times as many as now.”
Erik ten Hag excited by new signing’s impact
Zirkzee, according to former AC Milan and Italy midfielder Riccardo Montilivo, is the ‘master’ at linking the play.
You only need to ask his ex-Bologna team-mate Riccardo Orsolini, the Azzurri winger producing a career-best campaign last season with Zirkzee’s presence acting as something as a foil to the lightning-powered wideman.
“He allowed us to make the most of the qualities of the other members of the team,” Orsolini tells 1000 Cuori Rossoblu.
Zirkzee, then, is an entirely different sort of centre-forward to Man United’s new number nine Rasmus Hojlund. More of a facilitator than a finisher.
One who, according to Ten Hag himself, adds a brand new dimension to the Red Devils’ frontline.
“Zirkzee has certain skills that we do not have,” the 23-year-old’s fellow Dutchman told Voetbal International before that Community Shield clash with Man City at Wembley.
“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.”
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
