Joshua Zirkzee is excited to be reunited with Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui at Manchester United.
Zirkzee was United’s first signing of the summer transfer window, joining in a £36million transfer from Bologna. He has since been joined by Leny Yoro, who cost £58m from Lille, and De Ligt and Mazraoui, who arrived on Tuesday in a £51.5m double deal from Bayern Munich.
The Bayern duo have bolstered Erik ten Hag’s options in defence after the departures of Raphael Varane, Willy Kambwala and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Their arrival adds to the ex-Ajax contingent at Old Trafford, with De Ligt and Mazraoui joining Andre Onana, Lisandro Martinez and Antony – but they have also been reunited with Zirkzee.
Although he signed from Bologna, Zirkzee spent five years at Bayern earlier in his career, coming through the German club’s youth system. And the 22-year-old striker made it clear that he is delighted by United’s transfer business.
“Run it back” he wrote underneath a picture of himself with De Ligt and Mazraoui at Bayern. His thoughts were echoed by Martinez, who told BBC Sport: “I’m so excited about Matthijs and Noussair. We are here to help them and they are really good players, that’s why Manchester United bought them. They will show that quickly, they have really good qualities, they like to play football and are special for our system.”
United’s new sporting director Dan Ashworth clearly agrees. “Noussair is a dynamic, attacking full-back who can play on both the right and left side of defence," Ashworth said. "His experience and versatility will make him an excellent addition to our squad. Having already won a number of trophies in his career, we know that Noussair’s winning mentality will be a real asset to the group as we work together to deliver the success required of Manchester United.”
He added on De Ligt: “Matthijs is an outstanding defender and proven winner who will add quality, experience and leadership to our existing group of senior players. He has already enjoyed considerable success in his career, and we are convinced that his best years are still ahead; we want to help him achieve them at Manchester United.”
The Ten Hag connection was clearly important in attracting both players. “As soon as I heard that Manchester United wanted me, I felt an excitement about the opportunity for a new challenge at such an historic club,” De Ligt said. “In the conversations that followed, I was impressed by the vision that the football leadership set out, and the role they saw for me in it.
“Erik ten Hag shaped the early stages of my career, so he knows how to get the best out of me and I cannot wait to work with him again. I know what it takes to succeed at the highest level, and I’m determined to continue that record at this special club.”
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