Manchester United have secured a first signing of the summer as Erik ten Hag looks to improve his squad ahead of the new Premier League season.
Erik ten Hag came into the summer transfer window knowing that he needed to bring a number of new signings to Old Trafford.
For one, Manchester United simply had to bring in a new striker with Anthony Martial – who was out for half of last season – moving on at the end of his contract.
Rasmus Hojlund has huge potential for the future but the Dane can’t be expected to shoulder the attacking load for another season.
It’s therefore no surprise that United’s first summer signing is another centre forward with Joshua Zirkzee arriving from Bologna.
The Dutch international bagged 11 goals in Serie A last season, helping fire Bologna to the Champions League.
United have now secured a deal for Zirkzee, believed to be in the region of around £36million.
Joshua Zirkzee on Kobbie Mainoo
United’s confirmation of the Zirkzee deal came just days after he had been knocked out of Euro 2024.
Zirkzee had come off the bench late on as the Netherlands lost 2-1 to England in the semi-finals of the competition.
United fans were fascinated after the final whistle though as Zirkzee shared a moment with United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo.
Supporters were convinced that Zirkzee and Mainoo were talking about linking up at United – something which materialised just days later.
Zirkzee confirmed that the pair were discussing a transfer, with the striker telling Mainoo that he would see him soon.
Zirkzee has now spoken to MUTV and has delivered his verdict on Mainoo’s performance in that England victory last week.
United’s new striker feels that Mainoo was ‘fantastic’ and ‘incredible’ as he helped England dump the Netherlands out of Euro 2024.
Zirkzee added that he was actually talking about Mainoo with his Dutch teammates on the bench, simply blown away by the United talent.
“Kobbie had a fantastic game,” said Zirkzee. “He played incredible. [We were] actually talking about it also on the bench, like… this guy is very, very good,” said Zirkzee.
Zirkzee on Old Trafford
This is a big move for Zirkzee, but he isn’t a stranger to the environment of top clubs.
Zirkzee joined Bayern Munich at the age of just 16 and made his senior debut in the Champions League at 18.
Even before that move, Zirkzee was in the Feyenoord ranks, one of the very top clubs in the Netherlands.
Zirkzee will have to cope with the expectation levels at United but he just seems excited rather than overawed.
From that same MUTV interview, Zirkzee admitted that he can’t wait to play at Old Trafford, branding United’s home an ‘insane stadium’.
Zirkzee feels that he is joining ’the biggest club in the world’ and is ‘very excited’ to be making the move.
“I’m very happy to be here,” said Zirkzee. “I mean, it’s probably the biggest club in the world, so I can’t wait to get started and get to know everyone and start this journey. I’m very, very excited. I’m going on a short break. Try and relax a little bit and then get back to Manchester and get it going.”
“Obviously, it [Old Trafford] is an insane stadium. I can’t wait to play in the stadium. Just very, very excited, very motivated,” he added.
The 23-year-old doesn’t have too long to wait until he can step out at Old Trafford, with the Premier League kick-off against Fulham less than a month away.
Whether Zirkzee starts that game remains to be seen, but he will surely play some part as United look to get off to a perfect start.