Joshua Zirkzee is unlikely to be starstruck when he steps into the Old Trafford dressing room.
The 23-year-old has only just passed 100 senior career league matches and made two cameo appearances in the Champions League, but has already trained with some of the biggest stars in Europe.
Both of those European cameos came for former club Bayern Munich, coming off the bench to be part of a team containing the likes of Leroy Sane, Manuel Neuer and Thomas Muller. When Zirkzee was first breaking through from the youth ranks, David Alaba was very praiseful.
“Joshua has integrated well into the team from day one,” the Austrian said. “He picks things up quickly and he always wants to learn. It is very nice that he is being rewarded.
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“He is a boy with a lot of potential. He has a talent that not everyone has. But talent alone is not enough. He must certainly try to work even more.”
Fourteen goals in two seasons was enough to attract the interest of United’s new hierarchy, having also earned a late call-up for the Netherlands for their Euro 2024 campaign, during which he met new teammate Kobbie Mainoo.
The 19-year-old’s mature performance for England contributed to the Dutch side’s semi-final exit on Wednesday, and actually sped up Zirkzee’s move to United, it seems.
Bologna may not possess the star names of United or Bayern but two-time Champions League winner Thiago Motta’s work with the team as manager has earned him the job at Juventus.
Motta made an extraordinary comparison when speaking about Zirkzee earlier this year, likening him to a very famous former teammate. “Seeing him day to day, he reminds me of the Ronaldinho I played with at Barcelona,” he said.
“But I cannot compare him to anyone. He is Joshua, he is special, he enjoys his football and above all works very hard in training.”
While his numbers may be questioned by some, Bologna colleague Lewis Ferguson is unsurprised by United’s interest in Zirkzee. “I’m good friends with Josh. He had an amazing season and it was a wee bit of a surprise he wasn’t in the original Dutch squad.
“He played up front for us. He was excellent, one of our best performers. Milan are apparently interested in signing him, Man United as well. He’ll be a good signing wherever he goes.”
Talking to Italian media earlier this year, Zirkzee shrugged off one other comparison. “I’m not a [Marko] Arnautovic type, I like to come forward after playing the ball and help the team.”
He added: “You say I’m spectacular? Well, I’m Dutch: this is the most correct definition.”
United fans will hope he performs better than the last Dutch striker to don the red shirt, Wout Weghorst – another Dutch Euro substitute – completing a forgettable loan spell in 2023.
He looked somewhat overwhelmed by the opportunity at Old Trafford. Zirkzee, who has already represented a European giant, might not.