Robert Lewandowski, arguably the greatest centre-forward of the modern era, is better placed than most to pass judgement on Joshua Zirkzee’s difficult start at Manchester United.
The Barcelona superstar, after all, played alongside the Dutchman during his formative years at Bayern Munich.
And rather than join the pile on – Joshua Zirkzee already written off as a flop by many after 16 games without a goal for Manchester United – Robert Lewandowski thinks there is a rather simple explanation as to why the £35 million summer signing is yet to really hit his stride.
Zirkzee, Lewandowski says, is ‘not a typical goalscoring striker’.
Anyone who watched Zirkzee shine at Bologna last term – winning Serie A’s Young Player of the Year award while inspiring a Champions League charge – would have known that.
At 6ft 4ins, the Dutchman may possess a typical number nine’s build. Zirkzee himself, however, describes his game as that of a ‘nine-and-a-half’. Zirkzee earned comparisons to United icon Dimitar Berbatov, while Rasmus Hojlund was often likened to Erling Haaland.
And on the odd occasions in which Man United have played to his strengths – see Southampton and Crystal Palace – Zirkzee’s clever flicks and well-placed through balls have seen the Red Devils frontline hum in rare harmony.
Robert Lewandowski explains how Manchester United can save Joshua Zirkzee
“He plays amazing with his back to the goal,” Lewandowski explains. “He can hold the ball, he can play with one or two touches or bring wingers [into the game].
“He is also a good finisher in the box. He’s big you know, he’s young but he’s big. And I think he can keep the ball very [well].”
“You need a bit of time when you join this kind of club. A big club with huge expectations. For him, [the 2023/24 campaign] was the first season he was involved as a typical striker, but his time in Manchester has not been so brilliant. Of course, I hope he comes back on the right track.
“But he is a striker who can really help his teammates if you know how to use him. He is not a typical goalscoring striker.”
Joshua Zirkzee set for a fresh start under Ruben Amorim
If Rasmus Hojlund is your typical, throwback number nine – all crash, bang, power and pace – then Zirkzee is a more modern interpretation of the role.
One of the greatest disappointments of the latter day Erik ten Hag era was that his fellow Dutchman seemed to have no idea how to consistently get the best out of a footballer with such a specific skillset.
How Zirkzee fits in under Ruben Amorim, meanwhile, remains to be seen.
While Hojlund has been tipped to fill the Viktor Gyokeres role, perhaps Zirkzee could be utilised as one of the two number tens in a narrow frontline. The 23-year-old could also be fielded through the middle, freeing up Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho – for instance – to make the sort of rampaging runs Gyokeres made his trademark at Sporting, albeit from a wider starting point.
Though Wim Kieft, a European champion with the Netherlands in 1988, fears that Amorim’s preference for a more physical central attacker may lead to more questions than answers.
“You have to fear for Joshua Zirkzee at Manchester United,” Kieft tells Voetbal Primeur. “He was brought in by Erik ten Hag, has scored few goals and is a bit lacking.
“Now comes the new man, Ruben Amorim. If he also judges that it all looks a bit light and is not very effective, it will be difficult for Zirkzee.”
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/0Jm49YM