How Good is Joshua Zirkzee, and What Lies Ahead for Him at Manchester United?

Manchester United struggled massively to find a reliable goalscorer during the 2023/2024 season. Despite signing Rasmus Højlund from Atalanta, the Danish striker did not fully live up to expectations. Therefore Erik ten Hag was forced to look for a new option to bolster the attack.

Enter Joshua Zirkzee. The Red Devils have secured the Dutch forward from Bologna for a reported fee of £36.54m. Zirkzee, with his promising talent, is expected to make a notable impact in the upcoming season, enhancing Manchester United’s overall gameplay.

Name	Joshua Zirkzee
Date of Birth	22 May 2001 (23 y/o)
Position	Forward
Height	1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Current Club	Manchester United
Former Clubs	Bayern Munich (2019-22), Parma (2021),  Anderlecht (2021-22), Bologna (2022-24)
Transfer Value	€50M
National Team	The Netherlands, 2 caps

Zirzkee Stats

Under Thiago Motta’s guidance, Bologna qualified for the Champions League group stage, a significant accomplishment for the club. Motta’s ability to create a cohesive unit where each player has a defined role was key to this success.

Zirzkee was an integral part of this system. In Serie A, he netted 12 goals and consistently posed a threat to opponents. His involvement in the game is notable, averaging 44.8 touches per 90 minutes and attempting 4.17 take-ons during this period.

Zirzkee is not just a forward who waits for the ball to create scoring opportunities. What sets him apart is his ability to carry the ball from deep positions and score goals independently.

How Will Zirzkee Play at Man Utd?

Predicting how Joshua Zirkzee will be deployed at Manchester United involves considering a couple of main options Erik ten Hag might use:

Lone Striker Role

The more straightforward option is for Erik ten Hag to employ Zirkzee as the lone forward in a 4-2-3-1 formation. This formation is familiar to United, and Zirkzee will lead the attack, flanked by wingers such as Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho. These wingers will be crucial in providing the necessary width and service to Zirkzee.

Bruno Fernandes will also play a critical role in this setup. As a deep-lying playmaker, Fernandes has been pivotal throughout the years, and the Portuguese midfielder has all the capabilities to support the young Dutch player. 

However, the challenge with this formation is the potential benching of Rasmus Højlund. The Danish striker, who showed increased energy and form towards the end of the season, might find it frustrating to lose his starting spot. 

Managing this situation will be a significant task for ten Hag. Maintaining squad harmony and ensuring that Højlund remains motivated will be crucial for a successful season. 

Playing With Another Striker

Another possibility for Ten Hag is to use both Højlund and Zirkzee in the starting eleven. In this setup, Zirkzee will play as the primary forward while Højlund might take on a role as a second striker or even a winger. This dynamic could see the two complementing each other well, engaging in physical duels and creating space for one another.

In such a formation, the main role will fall to midfielders. Their role will be to control the game, maintain possession, and effectively distribute the ball to the attacking duo. 

This scenario could mirror Ten Hag’s successful tactics at Ajax, where he effectively used a fluid and dynamic attacking setup.

Can Zirzkee Withstand the Pressure?

Many Manchester United players have struggled to cope with the immense pressure that comes with playing for the club, and Zirkzee will be no exception. The young forward will need to work diligently on his mental and physical resilience. While goalscoring is not the most troubling matter for him, even the smallest mistakes could cost him a place in the starting lineup.

Joshua Zirkzee is without a question a huge addition to the team. He brings a fearless attitude, a willingness to take on opponents, and a potential for growth under any circumstances. 

The key question remains how Erik ten Hag will integrate him into the squad and utilize his talents effectively against top-tier competition.