It’s Time to Buy Stocks In Man Utd’s Joshua Zirkzee
Watching Manchester United play football has become a chore in recent years. The newly appointed manager, Reuben Amorim, was supposed to change things with this promising new 3-4-2-1 system, however, things haven't exactly gone as planned. Currency the Red Devils embarrassingly sit in 13th place in the Premier League and are out of both domestic cups. Their only hope of doing anything this season is the Europa League, which will be challenging. One of the only shining lights for United this season has been the much underappreciated Joshua Zirkzee. Really, it is such a shame how most Manchester United fans, or at least the online ones, don’t even recognize the talent they have in their hands. Let's just say football knowledge is not what makes you popular online; otherwise, the likes of Mark Goldbridge wouldn’t have an audience. Regardless, Zirkzee’s refreshing profile is something special, and with higher-quality players around him, nothing is stopping him from becoming one of the best players in the Premier League.
Not A #9
When Manchester United bought Joshua Zirkzee last summer for €42.50 million, it was thought he would be striker competition for Rasmus Hojlund. After all, he had just come off a pretty impressive season with Bologna, bagging 12 goals and providing 6 assists. However, at least initially, United fans did not get what they were hoping for from the young striker. Zirkzee’s first few months at the club were an absolute disaster, to say the least. Despite scoring in the first game of the season against Fulham, Zirkzee failed to impress fans, all while essentially having the #9 spot locked down while Rasmus Hojlund was recovering from injury. He went a whopping 11 straight Premier League matches without scoring before bagging a brace against Everton on December 1st, and he hasn’t managed to score a single goal since. With most strikers, statistics like this would be completely irredeemable; however, in the last few months, we have begun to see the immense potential of Zirkzee as a creative player.
Reuben Amorim’s implementation of his 3-4-2-1 has been a mess. The players aren’t comfortable with it, and his constant switching of players and playing players in the wrong positions hasn’t helped whatsoever. The only success of this system has been playing Zirkzee in the left #10 position. Finally, he has been given the freedom to express his footballing ability, and it has been impressive on all accounts. Joshua Zirkzee has all of the attributes to be one of the best #10s in the world. Seeing an attacking player with such technique in the Premier League is so refreshing. Zirkzee has a silky touch, great close control, and that killer pass. He can drop deep, combine with midfielders, and play intricate passes that move the team up the field. He has had so many viral clips recently of him nutmegging players, spraying passes, and performing other impressive actions. A perfect example of what he can offer came against Real Sociedad, where, after a great show of dribbling, he put in a perfect cross to Rasmus Hojlund, who, as usual, missed rather embarrassingly.
Zirkzee creates a brilliant chance against Real Sociedad out of nothing for Rasmus Hojlund, who misses.
Since assuming this new position, he has pulled off many similar plays, and he seems to be getting better and better as he plays more. For being a tall 6’4 player, his technique on the ball is fantastic, especially when compared to the low technical level of the Premier League. He can do things on the ball that his clown compatriots in attack like Garnacho and Hojlund could only dream of. He’s a player who knows what he’s gonna do with the ball before it even gets to him, always willing to try audacious turns, flicks, and other plays that are high risk/high reward; a player who is genuinely fun to watch, which is such a rarity in modern football. His skillset and playstyle are much more suited to this left #10 position, as he lacks the finishing and physicality to be a successful striker in the Premier League. This new position allows him to express himself and play freely as a creative player instead of being the focal point. He’s the type of player who gets better the more touches he gets on the ball. A pure footballer.
Look at this Brilliant turn and Touch from Joshua Zirkzee against Real Sociedad.
The Future
The most important thing that Zirkzee needs is other competent players around him. Amad Diallo is certainly special, and when he returns, he and Zirkzee occupying the two #10 positions, will be a scary prospect for any opposition. He will also need a competent striker who can actually convert some of the chances he creates. The £72 million embarrassment, Rasmus Hojlund, is obviously not that guy. With actual good attacking players around him, Zirkzee’s levels will only improve, and he will finally be able to register the stats that fans are craving.
Let’s be honest. The only metric modern football fans seem to care about is G/A. In order for Zikzee to be successful, he needs to be able to stuff the statsheet. That will come with better players around him, as mentioned, however, he also needs to improve his finishing and his final third positioning. He has missed chances this season, especially when playing striker, that have been simply unacceptable. His technique on the ball is superb, and there is no reason why he can't improve in this area. These factors and the general fine-tuning of the rest of his game and Zirkzee will be well on his way toward the top of the Premier League.