Manchester United are celebrating completing the signing of the first new addition of the summer, Bologna forward Joshua Zirkzee.
Joshua Zirkzee clinched his move to Manchester United earlier this week, unveiled in Red Devils colours and hailed as ‘outstanding’ by sporting director Dan Ashworth.
Erik ten Hag has high hopes for Zirkzee, and he helped win the Bologna forward over, convincing him to join the Red Devils.
Zirkzee brings a new profile to the club, a player who is different, and one who can make Manchester United’s attack more unpredictable.
Joshua Zirkzee ready to help Manchester United
Joshua Zirkzee is a unique forward who has attracted many interesting comparisons. One of these is to a former Manchester United striker.
Robert Acquafresca played for Bologna between 2011 and 2017, told Tuttomercatoweb that he likens the Dutch forward to Dimitar Berbatov.
He explained: “If I have to compare him to someone, he reminds me a lot of Berbatov. Because he has great technique and vision of the game and only scores beautiful goals.”
Berbatov was not the most prolific centre-forward, but his clever footwork and movement made him difficult to contain and exciting to watch.
He gave Sir Alex Ferguson an added tactical wrinkle, where he could lead the line or play up front with another striker, and this can benefit current boss Erik ten Hag and striker Rasmus Hojlund.
Zirkzee, similar to Berbatov, is a joy to watch with his close control and clever footwork which will embarrass defenders. He will have the crowd applauding him, and his tricks clipped up on social media.
Erik ten Hag has been talking up Zirkzee’s qualities, commenting via club media: “He is a player who can link up the game, who can be available, hold up the ball, have good ideas, be creative, can dribble, [make] combinations.
“So that’s a different type and always what we are looking for, so it gives us more options tactically, which is good because, especially up front, we have many players who can play very direct and they can take a big benefit from his skills.”
Ten Hag indicates there are multiple winners from the Zirkzee deal, with his ability to link the midfield and attack. This could help him fulfil his aim to bring a more Ajax type approach to Manchester United.
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Like Berbatov, Zirkzee’s fit will become clear
When Manchester United signed Dimitar Berbatov in 2008, it was not immediately clear how he would fit into a frontline which already boasted Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez.
At this point Ferguson knew Ronaldo would be moving on the following year, and wanted to plan for the future.
The path for Zirkzee is a similarly clouded. Will be play in a new system alongside Rasmus Hojlund? Or in his place?
What if United add a third striker as speculated, with Ivan Toney linked to the club?
Erik ten Hag will have a plan, and we could see more of the ‘false nine’ system he utilised late in the 2023/24 season.
This is a role which suits Zirkzee, his ability to hold the ball up and bring wide players into the game, and one we could see more of.
The Ronaldinho comparisons are enthralling after United mixed out on the Brazilian way back in 2003, but the similarities to United’s former Bulgarian striker are just as exciting.
United have not had a striker quite like Berbatov since he departed the club in 2012. He struck a total of 56 goals for the club in four seasons, a tally which Zirkzee might see himself bettering.
But Berbatov was about more than the volume of goals he scored, playing a role in two title-winning teams. Zirkzee will aim for a similar impact.
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