Manchester United were looking to solve their goalscoring woes when they signed Joshua Zirkzee in the summer of 2024.
The Dutchman was coming off a breakthrough campaign with Bologna, having registered 12 goals and seven assists from 37 games. The Red Devils reportedly paid around £36m for his signature that summer.
A tall, right-footed striker with silky skills, Zirkzee was expected to take the Premier League by storm. The 24 year old came off the bench against Fulham for his debut and scored in the 1-0 win, sending fans into a frenzy.
Unfortunately, Zirkzee failed to build on that blistering start and faded as the season progressed.
Zirkzee’s struggles at Old Trafford
Zirkzee has struggled for consistency at the Theatre of Dreams, dividing opinion among fans and critics. He has shown flashes of brilliance, as evidenced by his brace against Everton in December and his composed penalty kick against Arsenal in the FA Cup.
However, the player managed just three goals from 32 games in the Premier League last season, frustrating fans, and was even booed off by a section of the crowd at Old Trafford last December.
The Dutchman missed the final weeks of last season after picking up a thigh injury, which didn’t help his cause either.
United, meanwhile, invested heavily in Benjamin Sesko over the summer, and the Slovenian has been selected ahead of Zirkzee so far. The Dutchman, meanwhile, is yet to pick up a goal or an assist from four appearances this season, all of which were from the bench.
Recent reports have linked Zirkzee with an exit from Old Trafford in 2026, with Juventus ready to take him back to Serie A. However, United would be better advised to be patient with the Dutchman, who is yet to show his true form at Old Trafford
A striker with a creative edge
Zirkzee is a creative centre-forward who mixes the qualities of a central striker with the vision of a playmaker. While the Dutchman is traditionally a No. 9, he is also excellent in a withdrawn role as a No. 10, where his close control make him a menace for the opposition.
Despite his tall frame, Zirkzee is not a physical striker; instead, he prefers to be involved in the buildup play. He is intelligent in the final third and can work very well in tight places.
The former Bologna man has struggled to cope with the physicality of the Premier League, but offloading him right now may not be the best idea.
Financial implications of Zirkzee’s exit
Sesko and Zirkzee are the only recognized strikers in Ruben Amorim’s squad at the moment. If United allow the Dutchman to leave, they will be a man short in attack unless a new striker is brought in, which is likely to be a costly operation.
Meanwhile, the former Bologna man’s stock is at an all-time low at the moment, so his suitors are unlikely to break the bank for his signature.
Zirkzee is comfortable as a No. 10, so he could also cover for Matheus Cunha in the attack if required. His presence gives the Red Devils another option in attack with a long and testing season ahead, especially given Mason Mount’s injury record.
If the Premier League giants plan to offload the Dutchman, they may have to sign not one but two new faces to replace him.
Premier League proven attackers are likely to cost a fortune, while there’s no guarantee that the new signings will hit the ground running at the Theatre of Dreams.
Instead, helping Zirkzee regain his mojo is perhaps the safest bet for United at the moment.
Room for growth
Zirkzee only turned 24 in May this year and is yet to hit his peak. Some of his issues could be resolved with age and experience, especially since he has only spent a year in the Premier League.
Many famous strikers of the past have taken time to reach world class levels, so it would be unwise to rule out the Dutchman just yet. Didier Drogba was 25 years old when he caught the eye of Chelsea in 2004, and the best goalscoring season of his career arrived when he was in his 30s.
Zirkzee wasn’t the finished product when he arrived at Old Trafford, and he hasn’t reached his peak yet. Once he comes to terms with the rigours of English football, the Dutchman could become a valuable asset for the Red Devils.
His ability to hold up play and work in tight spaces complements the runners in the team, bringing deep-lying playmakers like Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo in the game. His intelligent movement also keeps the opposition centre-backs occupied and opens up space in the final third for wingbacks to exploit.
Zirkzee’s versatility even makes it easy to shift in-game tactics depending on the opposition. Having him around, as such, will work to United’s benefit.
Deserves his chance at redemption
Ruben Amorim’s system at United requires a striker who is involved in link-up plays. Zirkzee, as such, is a natural fit in the job, and the only thing lacking is, perhaps, a little self-belief.
The Dutchman has failed to find his footing at the Theatre of Dreams, but in truth, he has been part of a struggling team dealing with multiple issues.
Of course, there’s no guarantee that the player will turn things around, and his critics will say that he is more suited to Serie A than the Premier League.
However, United have lived to rue their decision to allow key players to leave in the past; one only needs to look at Scott McTominay. Zirkzee’s departure could also turn out to be the wrong decision in time.
Thiago Motto once called the Dutchman the “Symbol of Bologna” following his exploits at the Emilia-Romagna club. Zirkzee has all the ingredients to become United’s talisman as well, and it is now time to help him flourish.
Featured image Matt McNulty via Getty Images
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