Joshua Zirkzee’s Struggles at Manchester United: From Flop to Future Star?

Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee transferred to Manchester United in the summer, but he has not yet managed to make an impact. Outgoing manager Erik ten Hag was not thrilled with his arrival and due to his poor physical condition he only gave him a chance in four Premier League games in which he scored one goal.

According to The Sun, Joshua Zirkzee was out of shape and reportedly overweight at the time he joined the Red Devils. The local media even referred to him as a “36 million flop”. Erik ten Hag was also skeptical, for whom the 23-year-old footballer did not become the first choice at the point of attack.

news-item-description">Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee, who joined Manchester United this summer, had a successful start to his tenure in the Premier League, but then failed to make an impact. Under the leadership of Erik ten Haga, he does not have a stable place in the lineup and, moreover, it seems that he does not feel comfortable in the team. According to the Italian media, he wants to leave the club as soon as possible.

It took some time for the young striker to improve his physical condition. However, Ruud van Nistelrooy decided to give him a chance to fully demonstrate his skills. Joshua Zirkzee started in both games under the leadership of the interim coach.

“Josh is a young player with great potential. He is a real number 9, he can combine well. When he gets the ball, he can be a playmaker. He showed it, for example, in the match against Crystal Palace, where he played excellently. It was one of his best performances,” Ruud van Nistelrooy recalls the match at the end of September, which ended in a 0-0 draw. Joshua Zirkzee did not start in the starting line-up at that time, but in the 84th minute Erik ten Hag replaced him, Rasmus Hojlund went down.

🚨🗣️ Ruud van Nistelrooy:

“Joshua Zirkzee will be a great player for Man United. He has a lot of talent, good age.” 💪🌟 pic.twitter.com/WWkSqytJ14

— Football Newz (@FootballNewzIG) November 3, 2024

“He is at an ideal age and still has a lot of room for improvement. We have to keep watching him and give him time. He’s only going to get better and eventually become a great player.” added the temporary coach of the English team, who will be replaced by Ruben Amorim on November 11.

Manchester United will meet Leicester City in the 11th round of the Premier League on Sunday. This will be the last game under the Dutch coach and it is likely that Joshua Zirkzee will get another chance to prove that he deserves a stable place in the team.

Joshua Zirkzee: The “36 Million Flop” at Manchester United?

September 2023 was abuzz with transfer activity, but for Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee, it seems like he’s been more of a ‘Zirk-no’ at Manchester United.

Having joined the Red Devils with more fanfare than a brass band in a cow field, Zirkzee was expected to be the missing piece of United’s attacking jigsaw. Well, it looks like the only piece he’s found so far is the one labelled “overweight.” The rumor mill has churned out allegations of him being unfit at the time of his transfer. I mean, who knew joining Manchester United came with a complimentary buffet?

Coach Erik ten Hag, with a face that could curdle milk at the very thought of Zirkzee’s physical condition, has barely given him a sniff of the pitch, despite a hefty £36 million price tag. Now that’s what I’d call high stakes poker, except in this game, nobody’s showing their cards! He’s played just four games, netting a single goal – which should make every non-league striker quibble in disbelief.

The Struggles and the Interim Rescuer

It seems like the poor lad can’t catch a break. With Erik ten Hag about as excited about Zirkzee as a cat in a bathtub, he wants out. Meanwhile, the local media cleverly dubbed him the “36 million flop.” I suppose that’s a title you’d want to avoid like a bad haircut. But wait! Like a scene straight from a soap opera, enter Ruud van Nistelrooy, the temporary coach, armed with a can-do attitude and perhaps a personal trainer.

Ruud, likely channeling his inner Tony Robbins, has decided to give the lad a chance. “He’s a young player with great potential,” he boldly declared. Potential; that slippery little term! It can mean anything from “still learning to tie his shoelaces” to “watch out, he might just become the next Ronaldo!”

“Josh is a young player with great potential. He showed it, for example, in the match against Crystal Palace, where he played excellently.”

— Ruud van Nistelrooy

However, we remember that the match ended in a thrilling 0-0 draw. Perfect! The crowd must have loved the spectacle of watching paint dry. But let’s be fair: Zirkzee’s presence gave hope more than any actual goal-scoring chances. If only the highlights could be made into a blockbuster film with dramatic music in the background, that would sell tickets!

The Future: Redemption or Retreat?

The upcoming clash against Leicester City could be Zirkzee’s last tango under the umbrella of Dutch hospitality—unless he finds a new diet plan and a scoring touch between now and then. I mean, really, can you imagine if he pulls a rabbit out of the hat? Everyone would get a second helping of humble pie!

With interim coach Van Nistelrooy suggesting that Zirkzee has room to grow, it’s a bit like handing a toddler a paintbrush and hoping for the Mona Lisa. But who knows? Maybe the youngster is just a late bloomer, waiting to unleash his best self—like a rare Pokemon that takes forever to evolve.

In conclusion, whether Joshua Zirkzee blossoms into the prolific goal-scorer United fans dream of, or fades into the archives of forgotten signings, only time will tell. But with pockets as deep as United’s, they can afford a few swings and misses. Let’s just hope it’s not forever!

news-item-description">Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee, who made the move to Manchester United this summer, has struggled to find his footing in the competitive Premier League. Despite a promising start to his career in England, the 23-year-old forward has failed to secure a regular spot in the lineup under the management of Erik ten Hag, who has expressed skepticism about Zirkzee’s suitability for a starting role. Reports suggest that the young player has not yet settled into the squad, leading to rumors that he may seek a departure from the club in the near future.

According to The Sun, Joshua Zirkzee was reportedly in poor physical shape and carrying excess weight at the time of his transfer, prompting some local media outlets to deem him a “36 million flop.” Given his struggles, Ten Hag has only granted him opportunities in four Premier League matches this season, during which Zirkzee managed to find the net just once. In light of these circumstances, it appears that the forward has yet to fulfill the high expectations that accompanied his move to Old Trafford.

It took some time for the young striker to improve his physical condition; however, Ruud van Nistelrooy recognized his potential and decided to give him a chance to demonstrate his skills. Under the interim management of Van Nistelrooy, Zirkzee started in both matches, showcasing his abilities on the pitch.

“Josh is a young player with great potential. He is a real number 9, he can combine well. When he gets the ball, he can be a playmaker. He showed it, for example, in the match against Crystal Palace,” recalled Van Nistelrooy, referencing Zirkzee’s excellent performance in the game that concluded in a 0-0 draw at the end of September. The young striker entered the match in the 84th minute as a substitution for Rasmus Hojlund, which was a crucial moment to observe his contributions.

🚨🗣️ Ruud van Nistelrooy:

“Joshua Zirkzee will be a great player for Man United. He has a lot of talent, good age.” 💪🌟 pic.twitter.com/WWkSqytJ14

— Football Newz (@FootballNewzIG) November 3, 2024

“He is at an ideal age and still has a lot of room for improvement. We have to keep watching him and give him time. He’s only going to get better and eventually become a great player,” Van Nistelrooy emphasized, highlighting the importance of patience in Zirkzee’s development as a footballer.

Manchester United will face Leicester City in the 11th round of the Premier League this coming Sunday. This match marks the conclusion of Ten Hag’s tenure as manager, and it is highly anticipated that Joshua Zirkzee will receive another opportunity to showcase his talent and potentially earn a consistent place within the team.

Gement of Van Nistelrooy, Zirkzee has seen more playing time, notably in ‍a⁢ match against ⁢Crystal Palace where he impressed despite the game​ ending in ⁢a⁢ goalless‌ draw. This has rekindled some hope among the coaching staff⁤ that he ‍might still live ​up to ‍the hype that surrounded his signing.

As Zirkzee ‌gears up for⁣ the ​upcoming match against Leicester City, there’s a palpable sense of ⁤urgency—this may be his ⁣last chance to solidify ⁣his place in ⁤the squad before the arrival of permanent coach Ruben ⁤Amorim. Fans and critics alike ⁢are eager to see if Zirkzee can transform⁢ potential into performance, shedding‍ the ‘flop’ label and⁤ proving his doubters wrong.

His coach’s ‍unwavering⁢ optimism⁢ about Zirkzee’s‍ growth reflects a belief in the⁢ player’s untapped ⁣capabilities. If Zirkzee can translate that potential into goals, it could ‌be a‍ defining⁤ moment⁣ not just for his season, but for ⁤his burgeoning career at Manchester ‍United. The stakes are high, and all eyes will be‌ on him this Sunday as he takes to the pitch in‌ what could⁣ be a pivotal ⁤moment in his time at the club. Will it ⁤be redemption or a quiet retreat into the shadows of⁤ past signings? ⁢Only time will tell, but‌ the ⁤football world will be‌ watching.