One of Manchester United’s biggest problems heading into the new season looks like it could be on the verge of resolving itself soon.
After Anthony Martial’s contract was allowed to expire, United were left with just one recognised centre-forward at the football club. While Rasmus Hojlund has shown signs that he has enough about him to lead the line, he cannot do it all alone.
Effectively United had just one centre-forward available last season due to Martial’s injuries and it made the Reds one dimensional. Erik ten Hag was unable to change things up when they needed it and this came back to haunt them.
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Thankfully then they are closing in on a new signing. According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, United have reached agreement on personal terms and the agent’s commission for Zirkzee.
The transfer fee owed to Bologna is £34m thanks to the release clause in his contract. While it is a risk signing a player who managed 11 goals in 34 Serie A appearances last season, Zirkzee has been backed heavily in the past and has even been compared to having the qualities of two players in one.
Current Juventus boss Thiago Motta coached Zirkzee at Bologna and spoke highly of him to Sky Sport Italia. “He said that his idols are [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic and [Gabriel] Batistuta, who are two excellent players, but, seeing him day to day, he reminds me of the Ronaldinho I played with at Barcelona,” the Italian legend explained.
“But I cannot compare him to anyone. He is just Joshua, and he is special.”
Hearing their new signing compared to Barca-era Ronaldinho will undoubtedly please supporters of the Reds but also suggests that United are getting two different types of player in one. Ultimately, the Reds will look to use Zirkzee as a centre-forward providing competition for Hojlund.
But to have the trickery of Ronaldinho as well suggests he could play in behind Hojlund and give United a new dimension to their attacks when needed. What we want to see from United next season is that they are more than just a one trick pony.
When things are going wrong, there needs to be a Plan B and by all accounts Zirkzee could provide that.
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