Joshua Zirkzee's first message after joining Manchester United could come back to bite him if Ian Wright's claim proves to be correct.
The Dutchman became Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS' first senior signing in the summer after joining from Bologna for £36.5million. However, the forward he struggled to hit the ground running as United have endured a difficult start to the campaign.
As part of a stuttering attack that all but sealed now-sacked Erik ten Hag’s fate, Zirkzee has mustered just a single goal in 14 games so far this term. Although his signing was filled with hope, it was later claimed that Ten Hag never wanted Zirkzee at Old Trafford in the first place, with his signing driven by the club’s hierarchy.
Zirkzee now has the opportunity to impress a new manager after Ruben Amorim was appointed following Ten Hag's sacking. But ex-Arsenal star Wright believes the 23-year-old will struggle regardless of who is in charge, which could make his initial message after joining the club look rather awkward.
When Zirkzee sat down with United having penned his deal, which expires in 2029, he admitted that he was eager to approach this new adventure head-on.
"I have a lot of trust and a good feeling about this step,” Zirkzee optimistically stated. “It wasn't a difficult decision [to move to Man Utd].
"I mean, I love Bologna a lot, but, yeah, Manchester United just gave me a very, very good feeling and [I am] very confident what's planned will also happen."
Yet, according to Wright, such trust has been broken, and any good feelings that Zirkzee may have once had about moving to Manchester mat likely have dissipated.
"I can’t see in any formation Zirkzee making it from what I’ve seen so far,” the icon stated, speaking on Wrighty’s House. "I can see it with Hojlund. He looks like a future player with better players around him. He gives me the impression that if he gets in and around the box and he gets chances, he can go hot.
"I don’t see the same with Zirkzee. I look at him and his movement, I don’t see anything in his game that makes me think, 'Okay, there he is, I see what he can do'. I see that in Hojlund and some of the others. I can see them easily levelling up but I feel for Zirkzee."
If Wright’s prediction comes true and Zirkzee falls further out of favour at Old Trafford, then his move away from being a starter at Champions League side Bologna will begin to look like the wrong one. And the less said about his optimistic opening statement, the better.
Et000
14
Stupid journalists, how did you know that Amorim doesn't want him??
muhceilrst
7
it was a total waste, this boy and Mason Mount together with Anthony are costing united for nothing reasonable