Joshua Zirkzee became the first significant signing under the INEOS ownership at Old Trafford after completing a £36.5 million move from Bologna this summer.
However, former Watford striker Troy Deeney has expressed doubts about Zirkzee’s suitability for the central striker position.
The 23-year-old Dutch forward had a memorable Premier League debut, netting a crucial 87th-minute goal against Fulham in the season opener after replacing Mason Mount, securing a win for Erik ten Hag’s side.
But his subsequent performances were less convincing, particularly in United’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton and their heavy 3-0 loss to Liverpool.
Zirkzee’s missed chances and lack of impact, especially when leading the attack against Arne Slot’s team on Sunday, did not go unnoticed. Deeney believes he is being deployed in the wrong position when playing as the main striker.
Speaking on David Seaman’s Seaman Says podcast via Betway, Deeney said: “I don’t think Zirkzee is a striker. I always watch strikers, and he moves like a No.10.
“He always wants to come off the top line to get involved, and he always arrives late to the box. I think with how they’re playing, they need someone a bit Haaland-esque who doesn’t really touch the ball much and is just always in the six-yard box, because there’s so many times the ball flashes across the face and no one’s in there.
“I don’t think that’s his fault. I think they’re asking him to do a job that he’s probably not used to. He’s probably learning. Immensely talented player, though.”
Rasmus Hojlund, Manchester United’s top striker, has been unavailable at the beginning of this season due to an injury he picked up during a pre-season game against Arsenal. This has forced Ten Hag to rely on Zirkzee, who had to play out of position against Liverpool.
Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford has also been struggling, as he hasn’t managed to take a single shot on target in the team’s first three games.
With Bruno Fernandes holding the No.10 role, which Zirkzee prefers, Ten Hag’s tactical choices are limited.
“I don’t think they’ve got enough goals in the team to compete in the top four or five,” Deeney continued, discussing United’s prospects in the league with their current squad.
“When I look at that Man Utd squad, I don’t know the dynamic. Who’s their best winger right now? On paper, Rashford, but he’s not showing it. Garnacho is young, Diallo is young as well.
“Then you’ve got Anthony, who they spent £80million on, and he doesn’t seem to be able to make it off the bench. I did a piece when Sterling was linked and said that I think he’s better than everyone they’ve got currently. Man Utd fans slated me. Arsenal went and signed him, so he can’t be that bad.”
It remains to be seen how Zirkzee will be deployed, if at all, in United’s next game after the international break at Southampton.
