Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag remains optimistic about Joshua Zirkzee’s future at Old Trafford, despite the Dutch striker’s slow start since his £36.5 million transfer from Bologna.
Zirkzee, who was signed to provide a much-needed goal-scoring threat, has managed just one goal in seven appearances for the Red Devils.
His most recent opportunity was denied by a superb save in United’s 1-1 draw with FC Twente in the UEFA Europa League.
While some may be questioning his form, Ten Hag believes Zirkzee has what it takes to become a prolific goal scorer for United in the future.
Ten Hag praised the forward’s creativity and link-up play, which has been evident even though the goals haven’t been flowing.
He also acknowledged that Joshua needs to improve his finishing in front of goal, but made it clear that Manchester United’s struggles in front of goal go beyond one player. With only five goals in five Premier League matches, the team as a whole must step up to resolve their scoring woes.
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Joshua’s arrival at Manchester United came with high expectations. After impressing in Serie A with Bologna, the young striker was seen as a key addition to bolster United’s attacking options.
However, his start at Old Trafford has been underwhelming. Zirkzee has only found the back of the net once in seven games, leaving many questioning whether he can be the prolific goal scorer United so desperately need.
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Erik ten Hag, however, remains confident in the 22-year-old’s abilities. The United boss highlighted his excellent link-up play, which has seen him play a key role in creating chances for his teammates, even if he hasn’t been able to capitalize on his own opportunities.
In the 1-1 Europa League draw with Twente, Zirkzee came close to scoring but was denied by a brilliant save from Lars Unnerstall.
Ten Hag believes that Joshua’s early struggles are simply a matter of time, and he’s backed the Dutch forward to improve his goal-scoring output as he becomes more accustomed to the demands of the Premier League.
When asked whether he believes Zirkzee can become a prolific scorer for Manchester United, Ten Hag responded confidently: “Yes, I do. He is young, and we see his great abilities. He is a very good link-up player, and he is creative. He is creating chances, and I think he has had his moments toward the goal.”
The Dutch manager emphasized that Joshua has shown glimpses of his quality, particularly in his movement and positioning.
The challenge, according to Ten Hag, is for Zirkzee to refine his finishing skills and start converting the chances he’s creating for himself. The goal that was denied by Unnerstall was an example of how close Zirkzee is to making an impact.
For Manchester United to start climbing the Premier League table, Zirkzee will need to find his scoring boots sooner rather than later. However, Ten Hag has stressed that the team’s scoring struggles are not solely Zirkzee’s responsibility.
Manchester United’s attacking problems go beyond Joshua’s slow start. The Red Devils have scored just five goals in their first five Premier League matches of the season, one of the lowest tallies in the league.
This lack of firepower has contributed to their mixed start to the campaign, and Ten Hag has acknowledged that more must be done across the entire squad.
“We have to score goals as a team,” Ten Hag said. “Across the team, we have the ability to score. When you see all the opportunities we are creating, we are not scoring enough.”
Indeed, United have been able to get the ball into dangerous areas and create chances, but the finishing touch has been lacking.
Ten Hag believes the team needs to be more clinical, taking advantage of the opportunities they generate in the final third.
With attacking talents like Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, and Antony in the squad, United certainly have the firepower, but it will take a collective effort to end their goal drought.
While Joshua’s goal-scoring record may be under scrutiny, his contributions in other areas have been encouraging.
His ability to link up with other attackers has added another dimension to United’s play. Joshua’s creativity and movement have been effective in opening up space for his teammates, even if the final product has been missing.
His physical presence and skill with the ball at his feet make him a versatile forward, capable of playing in a number of attacking roles. Ten Hag’s faith in Zirkzee is based not only on his current abilities but on his potential to develop into a more complete striker with time.
As Manchester United prepare for their upcoming Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur, all eyes will be on him to see if he can break his goal drought.
The pressure is mounting on United to improve their attacking output, and Zirkzee will be key to turning things around. However, as Ten Hag has emphasized, the entire team must contribute if United are to overcome their early-season struggles.
His development will be one to watch over the coming months, as he continues to adapt to life in the Premier League. Ten Hag’s backing shows that the young striker has the manager’s trust, but now it’s up to Zirkzee to deliver on the pitch.
