Joshua Zirkzee Strikes Late as Ten Hag Praises New Signing

Joshua Zirkzee made a memorable Premier League debut for Manchester United, scoring a late winner against Fulham at Old Trafford. This moment mirrored a similar debut 23 years earlier when another Dutch forward, Ruud van Nistelrooy, scored against Fulham. While Zirkzee may not achieve Van Nistelrooy’s 150 goals for United, his 87th-minute strike brought joy to the club and manager Erik ten Hag expressed his pleasure with the Dutch striker’s impact.

Ten Hag emphasized the importance of Zirkzee’s quick goal, referencing last season’s struggles with new striker Rasmus Hojlund. Hojlund took 15 games to score his first Premier League goal and Ten Hag felt relieved to see Zirkzee score on his debut. Zirkzee, a £36.5m signing from Bologna, expressed delight in scoring at the Stretford End, calling it a dream come true.

The victory prompted pundits like Gary Neville and Roy Keane to reflect positively on United’s current state, highlighting the influence of new chief executive Omar Berrada and sporting director Dan Ashworth. Neville noted that United seems to be moving in a stronger, more controlled direction while Keane praised Zirkzee’s composed finish.

Despite Joshua Zirkzee’s impact, Ten Hag revealed that the 23-year-old struggled with injuries over the summer, affecting his pre-season preparation. However, Ten Hag remains optimistic about Zirkzee’s attributes and potential contributions. United continues to be active in the transfer market, particularly in midfield with Burnley’s Sander Berge among the potential targets.

Scott McTominay and Jadon Sancho’s futures remain uncertain, as Ten Hag continues to make tough decisions to balance the squad for the season.