"Hoping that he's asking Ruud a million questions" – Pundit backs Manchester United star to learn from Ruud van Nistelrooy at Old Trafford

Ex-Manchester United and Villarreal attacker Giuseppe Rossi has claimed Joshua Zirkzee should try to learn the tricks of the trade from ex-Red Devils poacher Ruud van Nistelrooy.

After releasing Anthony Martial as a free agent earlier this summer, the Red Devils opted to add Zirkzee to their ranks in July. They dished out over £36 million to sign the Dutch striker from Serie A side Bologna.

Speaking recently at the launch of Ladbrokes' Gaffer of all Accas, Rossi shared his two cents on Zirkzee's move. He said (h/t Caught Offside):

"I have high hopes for [Joshua] Zirkzee. I saw him play in Italy for Bologna; he's a very young player, but he has that something special in him. It's hard to come to a club like Manchester United and show that right away, just because of the pressures that come with that kind of move, and what being the club's number nine entails."

Suggesting that Manchester United assistant manager Van Nistelrooy could be an immense help for the 23-year-old striker, Rossi remarked:

"But he has the best people around him to make him understand what it means to wear that shirt, and play that position. He's got Ruud van Nistelrooy, who is the best striker I've seen in that position in the last 20 or 30 years. I played with him, which was a pleasure, and he was one of my idols growing up. I kind of understand what Zirkzee has in front of him in Ruud, and that's greatness."

Rossi, who represented the Red Devils 14 times as a player, added:

"That's somebody who could propel him to be better, so I'm hoping that he's asking Ruud a million questions, just like I did. I'm hoping that he's observing every little movement, like I did... even though he's probably not moving half as well as he did when I played with him! I just hope Zirkzee is being as curious as hell when it comes to playing in that position, and what it means to wear that shirt."

How well has Joshua Zirkzee started life at new team Manchester United this season?

Joshua Zirkzee, who played for Bayern Munich before joining Bologna, relished an excellent start to life at Manchester United. He scored on his debut as a substitute in his club's 1-0 league win against Fulham.

However, since scoring in his first contest for the Red Devils, Zirkzee has failed to score a goal in his last seven overall outings for his club.

Last season, the Dutchman found the back of the net 12 times and laid out seven assists in 37 appearances across competitions for Bologna.