Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee is on international duty with the Netherlands, taking a momentary breather from a frantic start at Old Trafford.
After coming in cold with a lack of pre-season, Joshua Zirkzee went straight into the mix with a debut goal against Fulham.
A couple of less successful games later, and Zirkzee is getting a rude wake-up call, learning that United have real challenges to overcome.
Zirkzee has told the Dutch media he believes United will come good, citing what he believes are encouraging signs during training at Carrington.
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Joshua Zirkzee wants to be like Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Joshua Zirkzee has been speaking to Voetbal International after joining up with the Dutch national side for their UEFA Nations League games.
Zirkzee was asked about a quote about him in Italy, where he was described as ”a butterfly in the body of a bull’. He responded, ‘I like that’.
He was then asked who he would compare himself to, and responded with a name familiar to Manchester United fans, a player Jose Mourinho signed on a free transfer in 2016.
Zirkzee said: “I watch so little television that I can’t quickly name someone who is similar to me in terms of play.
“I would like it if people say in a few years that my play is somewhat similar to Zlatan Ibrahimovic.”
Zirkzee named Zlatan as one of his heroes when he joined United, along with Ronaldinho.
Little does he know it, the comparisons have already been made.
Zirkzee spent a brief loan spell at Parma, and his former teammate Simeone Iacoponi said he sees the likeness between the two.
He said: “The comparison can be made due to their size and their movements, but Joshua is much more technical than Ibra who was stronger.”
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Striker debate in Netherlands
During the international break, Joshua Zirkzee has a big task at hand. He is trying to nail down the role of first choice striker, a role he had to take a backset for at Euro 2024.
Zirkzee adds: “It would be a dream to be the striker of Oranje. That’s what every boy in the Netherlands wants.”
He is competing against Ajax duo Brian Brobbey and Wout Weghorst. Free agent Memphis Depay has not been called up.
Former Dutch striker Roy Makaay told Voetbal International: “We have to wait and see how Zirkzee handles the enormous pressure at United. I am very curious to see who will get their chance in the next international matches.”
Netherlands’ fixtures are against Bosnia and then Germany, giving Zirkzee more opportunities to work on his sharpness, before likely leading the line in Manchester United’s next fixture at Southampton.
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