Joshua Zirkzee names Manchester United icon he wants to emulate at Old Trafford (original) (raw)
Joshua Zirkzee is honest enough to concede that the recent 3-0 defeat to Liverpool, in which he missed United’s two best chances, was “shameful” as he opened up on his tough start to life at Manchester United and the player he hopes to emulate
Joshua Zirkzee has admitted life at Old Trafford has been tough after his £36.5million move
Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee has set his sights on becoming the new Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
United’s £36.5million Dutchman admits that life at Old Trafford has been tough since he arrived from Bologna to score a debut winner against Fulham after being sent on as a substitute on the opening night of the season.
Zirkzee is honest enough to concede that the recent 3-0 defeat to Liverpool, in which he missed United’s two best chances, was “shameful.”
But after scoring on his full international debut for Holland against Bosnia last week, the 23-year-old name-checked Swedish legend Ibra as the player he wants to emulate.
Zirkzee said: “I would love it if, in a few years’ time, people said that my game looks a bit like Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The start, with the winning goal against Fulham, was nice. Then we lost twice - and you know that at a big club like Manchester United the attention then comes full on.
“I believe it will be fine. I've always had that. I never doubted it would still work out with my career. As a player, you gradually discover what you need to do to get to the top level and what you must cut out.
“The defeat against Liverpool was shameful. But when I see the team training, I do think we are on the right track. I missed chances against Liverpool. Did I get into the right position? Yes, but what is the point when the ball does not end up in the net?
“I had really good talks with Erik ten Hag. It's unfortunate that the start was disappointing, but we know what we need to work on. Yes, it is about adjusting. Whether it is also tougher than Serie A? Yes, it could be. At Bologna, we had ball possession very often. In England, I feel the game undulates much more. It’s up and down and indeed different.”
Zirkzee said he wanted to follow in the footsteps of Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Old Trafford (
Image:
Burak Akbulut/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Zirkzee admitted United's defeat to Liverpool was "shameful" (
Image:
Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Zirkzee came through the ranks at ADO Den Haag and Feyenoord, but didn’t play a single senior game in his home country before moving to Bayern Munich at the age of 17. He has Champions League and Bundesliga medals from his time in Germany, but he struggled to make an impact after a promising start with Bayern and was loaned to Anderlecht before joining Bologna.
Zirkzee said: “At Bayern Munich I was lucky, it came naturally. You also see your team-mates really gear their whole lives around football. You have to learn that. Rest, nutrition, working with your body. That work. That's what it takes to make it. And then comes Manchester United. If Manchester United come in for you then you go. I think United are bigger than Bayern Munich.
“It all happened quickly in the summer. I was at the Netherlands training camp in Wolfsburg for the Euros when United's interest came in. I haven’t even said goodbye to the club and people at Bologna yet. I hope I will get that opportunity, because I had a great time there in an important time of my career.
“We are working here (at United) on me having to at the point of the attack to score goals. Now it’s my dream to be the No 1 striker for club and country. You train, you do your best and then you find out whether you can keep up with the level.”
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