Manchester United are allegedly close to finalizing a deal for Bologna attacker Joshua Zirkzee.
United aim to improve their attacking options this summer, and they have identified Zirkzee as a top possibility. According to The Athletic, United is currently ‘trying to finalise’ a deal with the 23-year-old.
Zirkzee, who signed with Bologna in 2022, scored 12 goals in 37 appearances for the Italian team last season. He was also a late addition to the Netherlands roster for the European Championship, where he made his senior debut on Saturday and helped the team advance to the semi-finals.
Rasmus Hojlund is now United’s sole recognizable out-and-out centre-forward after Anthony Martial left the club. Last season, the Dane was unable to rely on consistent support up front due to Martial’s injury, which kept him out for big portions of the season.
United, on the other hand, have greased their wheels in an attempt to change that, seeing Zirkzee as the ideal candidate to bolster Erik ten Hag’s attacking options. The Dutchman, an all-action attacker, would bring a diverse set of skills to Old Trafford.
Having said that, MEN Sport has identified three potential lineups for United if a deal for the Bologna ace is completed.
A natural alternative to Hojlund
Ten Hag has used a 4-3-3 formation with only one out-and-out striker for virtually the whole duration of his United Premiership. Hojlund was signed for an original sum of £64 million less than a year ago and is unlikely to lose his position as striker-in-chief after scoring 16 goals in his first season in England.
That implies Zirkzee would most likely be Hojlund’s deputy, providing United with an alternative option in the centre of the attack. Their respective profiles and skill sets, however, are vastly diverse, implying that they would each bring a unique set of attributes to the table.
However, in the case that Hojlund is unavailable for selection and the rest of Zirkzee is picked, the latter has the potential to be United’s lone frontman. He is an aggressive presser who will lead from the front, aided by two wide players.
Dropping deep to connect the play
Regardless of who United signs this summer, Bruno Fernandes will remain in the attacking midfield role. The Portuguese international is the club’s principal architect, able to pull the strings and create magic.
However, United does not currently have a like-for-like substitute in the No.10 position. However, in Zirkzee, United would have another option.
His profile resembles that of a player like Harry Kane, who is typically content to drop deep to get on the ball, locate pockets of space, and link play. Zirkzee, on the other hand, is far more mobile than England’s captain, who is well-known for his dribbling ability and pace.
As a result, if Fernandes was ever unavailable or Ten Hag was confident enough to load more attacking talent onto the pitch, forcing Fernandes to play slightly deeper, Zirkzee could operate behind Hojlund, linking the midfield with the attack. His ability to connect up is one of his most valuable assets.
Teaming together with Hojlund
Ten Hag’s stunning decision to go to a small midfield diamond, partnering Marcus Rashford up front with Hojlund, came against Brighton and Hove Albion at Old Trafford last September. United lost 3-1, and the experiment has not been replicated since.
Ten Hag, as previously said, prefers a 4-3-3 formation with one center attacker supported by two wide players. United are currently loaded in the wide areas, thus switching to a narrow midfield to pack the middle of the pitch makes no sense.
But if Ten Hag was willing to play with two forwards, possibly in a 4-4-2, he might test the waters by pairing Zirkzee and Hojlund at the top of the pitch. However, it is expected that Zirkzee may drop significantly deeper at times in order to get on the ball and link play.