Done Deal: Eric Ten Hag announced in joy as star player who rejected Manchester United three times finally joined Man Utd this morning
menLoad mobile navigation
Buy a Paper
Jobs
Voucher Codes
Advertise with Us
Directory
Funeral Notices
Marketplace
Dating
Book an Ad
Public Notices
Newsletter Signup
opinionJoshua Zirkzee has already told Manchester United supporters what to expect from him
Manchester United look set to confirm their first signing of the summer, and he has already outlined his on-pitch goals.
Share
Isaac Johnson
ByIsaac Johnson
13:33, 13 JUL 2024
Bookmark
Joshua Zirkzee will soon be a Manchester United player
Joshua Zirkzee will soon be a Manchester United player (Image: Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)
The first signing of the Sir Jim Ratcliffe era may be typical of what to expect from Manchester United this summer – buying into potential.
It becomes a pattern when considering the interest in 21-year-old Jarrad Branthwaite, 18-year-old Leny Yoro and 23-year-old Joshua Zirkzee. Even Matthijs de Ligt does not turn 25 until next month.
It’s also notable that three of the four players exempt from sales this summer – Rasmus Hojlund, Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho – are all under the age of 21. This, then, does make the pending sale of Willy Kambwala slightly puzzling given his solid showings in his debut season.
READ MORE: I managed Joshua Zirkzee – he reminds me of Ronaldinho
READ MORE: Manchester United confirm Jadon Sancho decision after Erik ten Hag meeting
However, United’s tight financial position means more headspace within spending rules needs to be created, and Kambwala is expected to make a tidy profit. The fragility within Premier League constraints means United will not be signing one singular big marquee name this window.
Top Stories
1
Erik ten Hag drops huge Man Utd transfer hint with praise for Euro 2024 star
2
Manchester United ‘expected’ to make transfer decision that could impact Manuel Ugarte deal
3
Man United can use rival PSG interest as advantage to seal next £38m transfer
Zirkzee has only scored 14 goals in 58 games over the past two seasons but United will fork out around £38m for his arrival in the hope that he will push Hojlund on to reach his own full potential.
The Dutchman is of a similar physique to Hojlund, albeit perhaps more mature when it comes to playing dynamically. “I’m not a pure centre-forward,” he told Italian media back in February.
“I said a year ago that I liked playing with an attacking partner. But [ex-Bologna boss Thiago] Motta transformed me into a nine-and-a-half [role]. I’m not a [Marko] Arnautovic type, I like to come forward after playing the ball and help the team. And score goals.”
Hojlund has so far shown to be more of a box player, where staying within the width of the goal has brought him more success – albeit he also displayed he does have pace in his locker during his breakaway goal against Galatasaray in October.
The Dane finished as United’s top scorer last season, netting 16 times in a campaign that included seven goals in six league games from Boxing Day to early February.
However, injury setbacks stunted his momentum and he only really got back into form at the end of term, scoring in United’s final two Premier League matches.
Hojlund was also one of the casualties of United’s frustrating play last season. If there was one word to describe it, it would not be ‘fun’. But Zirkzee hopes to change that.
He added earlier this year: “I want people to have fun when they come to see me. But more than individually, it is better to impress the stadium as a team, in the way of playing. Bologna has done it more than once this year. Being creative is important.”
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Get the new Man United kit
Buy the new Man United 2024/25 home kit now!
United have unveiled their new adidas home kit with new front-of-shirt sponsors for the 2024/25 season – and you can get your hands on it right now.
Adult sizes from £80Fanatics
Buy Now
READ NEXT:
Erik ten Hag drops huge Man Utd transfer hint with praise for Euro 2024 star
Manchester United ‘expected’ to make transfer decision that could impact Manuel Ugarte deal
Skechers’ ‘comfortable’ trainers that are ‘like walking on air’ with 44,000 ratings slashed to less than £30 on Amazon
Amazon slashes headphones in five colours hailed as ‘better than Beats’ to £15 ahead of Prime Day
Man United can use rival PSG interest as advantage to seal next £38m transfer
Follow Manchester Evening News
Comment
More On
Manchester United FCManchester United Transfer News
Up Next
Erik ten Hag drops huge Man Utd transfer hint with praise for Euro 2024 star
Sport
all
Top Stories
‘Enough is enough’: The pub truce that brought a halt to the Gooch, Doddington and Cheetham Hill gang war
Crime
The Manchester talent factory that could deliver historic England glory
Stockport
Manchester United complete first transfer of Ineos era in form of $45 million signing
MEN Frontpage
Met Office yellow weather warning for rain issued for North West
UK Weather
Jay Slater’s mum issues statement to mark one month since teen vanished
Jay Slater
Five affordable homes up for grabs in Greater Manchester for less than £100,000
House Prices
PICTURED: The depraved rapist who used and abused women and is now behind bars
Courts
Live-event
Red Arrows LIVE as jets set to fly over Greater Manchester this evening
Southport
Live-event
Missing Jay Slater LIVE: Neighbours share reason they believe he’s not at scene
Jay Slater
‘I quit drinking alcohol for a month – this is what it did to my body and my mind’
Health and fitness
We tried supermarket coffee, if you like a strong brew there’s only one winner
Shopping
Hundreds of trains cancelled as staff ‘choose to watch England instead of working overtime’
Trains
News
What’s On
Sport
Business
Follow us
InYourArea
mynewsassistant
Discount Codes
Beauty Box Subscription
Marketplace
Public Notices
Buy a photo
Contact Us
About Us
Work for us
Advertise with Us
Mirror Bingo
How to Complain
Corrections and Clarifications
Terms & Conditions
Privacy Notice
AI Notice
Cookie Notice
Our RSS Feeds
Newsletter Signup
Syndication & Licensing
Notifications and alerts help
Do not sell or share my data
© 2024 M.E.N Media
Leave a Reply