Why Erik ten Hag allowed Joshua Zirkzee to make late-night visit to Liverpool before Man United face Porto

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Joshua Zirkzee was spotted in Liverpool just hours before Manchester United are set to travel to Porto.

The Red Devils resume their Europa League campaign on Thursday night against the Portuguese outfit.

After starting in Europe with a drab draw against FC Twente, United need to bounce back and it is one of two games that will decide Erik ten Hag’s future.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has allowed the Dutchman this week’s trips to Porto and Aston Villa to try and turn things around after the awful start to the season.

If Erik ten Hag is to turn things around, he will need to get the best out of his players and his summer signings, especially Joshua Zirkzee.

United have missed far too many chances this season and after scoring on his debut against Fulham in the Premier League opener, Zirkzee has not added to his goal tally.

Joshua Zirkzee allowed to make Liverpool trip

The £36m deal to sign Zirkzee from Bologna was the first of United’s five major signings in the summer transfer window.

Ineos moved quickly to get the deal done, so quickly it seems that the 23-year-old never got a real chance to say goodbye to his teammates.

According to The Mirror, Ten Hag gave permission to Zirkzee to travel to Liverpool on Tuesday to meet up with his former teammates before they face Arne Slot’s side in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The report adds that Zirkzee did not want to make the trip before getting approval from Ten Hag and the club, who agreed to let him travel.

Zirkzee was spotted chatting away with his old teammates until around 10:30pm but returned in time to make United’s first-team training session on Wednesday morning.

Erik ten Hag needs Joshua Zirkzee at his best

It may have made headlines, but there is nothing wrong with Zirkzee’s trip to Liverpool. In fact if anything it could help the 23-year-old settle down in England and hit form.

Because of Rasmus Hojlund’s injury in pre-season, Zirkzee has had to start the season as United’s sole striker. However, he has admitted that he sees himself as more of a hybrid between a striker and an attacking midfielder.

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That has been evident in the opening games of the season. Zirkzee’s link-up play is brilliant but he hasn’t shown that killer instinct to get in the box and score – it is something Ten Hag wants him to improve.

With Hojlund now back fit, Ten Hag has a selection headache up front between the two strikers. However, Hojlund’s forgettable impact against Tottenham could mean that Zirkzee will keep his spot.