In the summer of 2024, striker Zirkzee joined Man United from Bologna for £36 million. To get the Dutch star, the Red Devils surpassed AC Milan in a lightning move in the transfer window.
In his first match at Man United, Zirkzee impressed with a goal against Fulham, helping the Red Devils bring home 3 points. However, the former Bologna star was unable to repeat the same form in MU's 2 recent losses to Brighton and Liverpool.
Former player Owen Hargreaves rated Zirkzee as a good player, but still far behind top assassins like Haaland. He was quoted by Metro: "I quite like him, he has talent but he is not an assassin like Haaland, who can score up to 40 goals.
In a Man United team, he might be the third or fourth best player. But if your team wants to win, you need a striker who is always hungry to lead, with ruthlessness and coldness.
Look at what Haaland has done. He is a goalscorer like a robot. You need a striker who can kill, like Ruud.”
Zirkzee impressed last season, scoring 12 goals and providing seven assists for Bologna. However, Hargreaves sees Leny Yoro as a more promising signing than the Dutchman this summer: “I think Man United should only sign players who can help them win the Premier League and Champions League, otherwise keep the money. Yoro could be that guy. He has huge potential.
But at the moment, generally speaking, Man United are signing players just to fill the void. The best players at the moment are Garnacho, Mainoo, the stars who came from the academy."
