Manchester United Bet on Joshua Zirkzee's Unique Skillset and Potential

 

Why Manchester United Signed Joshua Zirkzee

Manchester United have signed 23-year-old Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna in a £36.5 million transfer. Here are the key reasons why United decided to bring in the talented forward:

Zirkzee's Unique Playing Style

Zirkzee is not a typical modern striker who excels at running in behind defenses. Instead, he brings a more creative, Ronaldinho-esque flair to the position. United were attracted to his explosive dribbling ability and slaloming runs, which fit their tradition of entertaining, maverick-style forwards. 

Fitting Ten Hag's Tactical Vision

Despite his unorthodox style, Zirkzee's skillset is well-suited to the tactical approach of manager Erik ten Hag. United want to combine fast transitions with more possession-based principles, and Zirkzee's ability to drop deep and link play can help them achieve this. 

Potential for Growth

While Zirkzee is still relatively raw and unproven at the highest level, scoring just 11 goals in Serie A last season, United are betting on his potential. Under the tutelage of Thiago Motta at Bologna, he has shown signs of developing into a more complete, hard-working forward. The club believes he can become a prolific goalscorer. 

Fitting United's Attacking Identity

Zirkzee's flair and creativity align with Manchester United's historic identity as an attacking, entertaining team that showcases maverick forwards. The club has a rich history of signing players with Zirkzee's profile, such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney. 

Overall, United have signed Zirkzee as a unique, potentially transformative striker who can help evolve their attacking play under Ten Hag. His unorthodox style and room for growth make him an exciting prospect for the club's future.