Manchester United summer signing Joshua Zirkzee had a standout performance for the Netherlands on his first start for his country.
Joshua Zirkzee’s outstanding performance for the Netherlands against Bosnia is prompting some questions in his homeland why he was not given a proper role at Euro 2024.
Zirkzee was used only as a substitute at the Euros, with Memphis Depay preferred. This looks a little odd with hindsight.
On his first ever national team start, Zirkzee scored one goal, registered an assist, and created four goalscoring chances.
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Joshua Zirkzee praised
Dutch pundit and former Eredivisie star Hans Kraay Jr spoke glowingly about Joshua Zirkzee’s display.
He was particularly impressed with Joshua Zirkzee’s assist for the Netherlands second goal in their 5-2 win.
Kraay Jr is quoted via Voetbal Primeur: “He passes it with exactly the right speed, so that Reijnders can curl it with his inside.
“Zirkzee is so intelligent. He not only passes it on the run, he also passes it in such a way that it is not too hard and ends up on Reijnders’ left. I think that is so beautiful.”
He added that he has ‘rarely seen’ a player of Zirkzee’s age that ‘has it so together’.
Zirkzee Man Utd prediction
Owen Hargreaves took a little dig at Joshua Zirkzee last week, bemusingly criticising him that he is not a ‘Haaland killer’ when it comes to goalscoring. But then, who is?
Kraay Jr believes Zirkzee can score enough goals to make himself very useful to Manchester United.
He commented: “I think he can be the type that scores at least twenty goals every year.”
Manchester United would take that. Zirkzee has one goal so far this season in three games.
Last season Rasmus Hojlund finished as top goalscorer with 16 goals total. The Dane is soon set to return from injury, and United fans will soon get a first look at them playing together.
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