Manchester United supporters have waited until mid-July for the first signing of the Ineos era at Old Trafford.
Now three could arrive at once. Ollie Watkins’ stunning 90th minute winner not only sent England into a second successive European Championship final while sending the Dutch home, it also may serve to speed up Manchester United’s pursuit of two leading transfer targets.
Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt were always expected to tie up their moves to Old Trafford once the Netherlands’ Euro 2024 campaign came to an end.
Manuel Ugarte is in a similar boat, free to turn his focus to his future at club level after Uruguay were sent packing from the Copa America.
Expect a few ‘here we go’s’, over the coming days, perhaps.
And Rene Meulensteen – the former Man United assistant coach – is well placed to pass judgement on a £34 million striker and a £43 million centre-half who may be on their way imminently from Bologna and Bayern Munich respectably.
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Manchester United close in on Joshua Zirkzee deal
Speaking to talkSPORT of his fellow Dutchman, Meulensteen is unwilling to get too carried away just yet.
There has been no shortage of players over the years who have struggled to adapt to the pace and power of the Premier League.
But, in Zirkzee, United are landing an elegant yet physical 6ft 4ins centre-forward in the Dimitar Berbatov mould. A man who’s clever movement and wonderful vision could make him the perfect foil in attack for Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes and co.
“(Zirkzee is an) interesting, young and up-and-coming player,” Meulensteen explains (11 July, 12.30pm).
“He is a tall boy. Strong. Very, very skilful. But it’s a bit of a surprising sort of signing.”
Meulensteen, who won four Premier League titles as an assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson, thought Man United would prioritise a more experienced option to ease the burden on youngster Rasmus Hojlund.
An Ivan Toney, maybe, or Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy.
But with Ineos looking to reduce the age of this United squad and make Old Trafford home to football’s most exciting rising stars, 23-year-old Zirkzee certainly fits the profile.
“When people come from other leagues into the Premier League, they take time to settle,” Meulensteen adds.
“It is interesting to see how Zirkzee is going to do there because I maybe expected Man United to go for (a striker who is) a little more experienced.”
Matthijs de Ligt arriving from Bayern Munich
Meulensteen has similar reservations about De Ligt. He wonders if a player who has featured in the Eredivisie, Serie A and the German Bundesliga could cope with a division which has proved unconquerable for plenty of highly-talented footballers.
But if De Ligt can adapt, Man United will be getting themselves a centre-half still boasting the potential to become – as his former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag predicted – Europe’s premiere defensive talent.
“It is an interesting one,” Meulensteen told talkSPORT a week ago. “He’s obviously a very good player. He’s a strong centre-back, powerful.
“But a new player coming into the Premier League, and the Premier League is always different a challenge.
“But Erik worked with him, and I think it could be a good fit.”
Man United also appear keen on Zirkzee’s Bologna team-mate Dan Ndoye, with his agent this week hinting at a move.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/uBdrsn6