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Former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke is seemingly not convinced about new signing Joshua Zirkzee. The Dutchman arrived from Bologna this summer on a reported £36.5 million deal.
Zirkzee, 23, is coming off a 12-goal, seven-assist season to help Bologna qualify for the UEFA Champions League. Most of his goal contributions - 11 goals and five assists in 34 games - came in Serie A.
However, he made only two appearances off the bench - playing a cumulative four minutes - at Euro 2024, where the Netherlands lost 2-1 to England in the semi-final. Yorke sees that as a 'red flag' (as per Manchester Evening News):
"You've got Joshua Zirkzee, who seems to have a decent season with Bologna and could make an impact, but you have to ask why he is not a starter for Holland.
"That’s a red flag for me when you come in at United for that sort of fee. In recent years, the club have brought in middle-of-the-road players rather than the creme de la creme players that they should be getting.
He added:
"United should be signing the very best players in Holland and the best players in whatever national team they are playing for. United are not in the position to do that anymore and it worries me.
Yorke, though, concluded that Zirkzee could still succeed at Old Trafford:
"I'm not saying the kid is not a good player. I'm not saying that he definitely can’t go and light up the Premier League, but why is he not playing in the Holland first team?
"Is he great for Bologna, but he's not good for the Holland national team? Does that mean he can't be that great for United? But we can only judge him on that at the end of the season."
Zirkzee, who has signed a five-year deal with the option of an additional year, is not part of the club's ongoing pre-season tour of the US.
What Joshua Zirkzee said on joining Manchester United
New Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee is looking to hit the ground running at his new club. He hopes to live up to the new 'challenge' as he arrives after an impressive season with Bologna.
Zirkzee is United boss Erik ten Hag's first signing of the summer as the Red Devils look to improve on their dismal eighth-placed Premier League finish last season. They did wiin the FA Cup, though, to qualify for the UEFA Europa League.
"Having had discussions with the manager and the leaders of the club, I know how exciting the future is going to be here, and I cannot wait to play my part in achieving success for Manchester United," Zirkzee said (as per Sky Sports).
"I am a player who has always dedicated everything to winning; I'm ready for this next challenge, to go to another level in my career and win more trophies."
The Dutchman could make his competitive United debut in the FA Community Shield with Manchester City at the Wembley in London on August 10.
