Joshua Zirkzee | 2026/27 Performances

Lovely goal but he spends 90% of the game anywhere but in the box. Don't know if you want that from your striker if he's not named Kane but he played decent today.
 
jigen said:
He has top potential. 193 cm with great feet, very rare. A mistake if you sell him.
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He’s been woeful for us though, with plenty of chances. He’d do really well at a top club back in Serie A or La Liga.
 
Lennon7 said:
He’s been woeful for us though, with plenty of chances. He’d do really well at a top club back in Serie A or La Liga.
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I won't be fooled by pre-season he's shown in 2 seasons in a row that the speed of the prem is too much for him.
 
Did well tonight playing as the 10, but he’s never going to play there here.
 
International footie might be more his jam than the PL and with us being back to competing at multiple fronts this season I don't want to discredit the potential use he would have there. We re still not stacked.
 
Djemba-Djemba said:
It's bizarre.

He scored a nice goal against a crap side in a pre season friendly. And that seems to be enough to have people forget he's been here 2 years and looked shite almost the entire time.

He's almost zero threat. He has 2 PL goals since December 2024.
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What's bizarre is the agenda posting by some on here.

Just because some of you lot don't think he's good enough doesn't mean you're right, or that anyone who rates him has poor "football IQ" and that it's bizarre to find any single poster wanting him at Utd.
He was Serie A young player of the year a couple of years ago fyi. He's not a prolific goal scorer and he probably never will be. But he has top notch link up play and improves everyone around him.

And if we're cherry picking stats from the period where him and Kobbie were barely getting a look in, here's another one:
He played about 205 minutes in our last 20 premier league games. That's roughly 11 minutes a game.

Yeah, shocking that he wasn't banging in goals every week with all that time on the pitch.
 
statpadders said:
What's bizarre is the agenda posting by some on here.

Just because some of you lot don't think he's good enough doesn't mean you're right, or that anyone who rates him has poor "football IQ" and that it's bizarre to find any single poster wanting him at Utd.
He was Serie A young player of the year a couple of years ago fyi. He's not a prolific goal scorer and he probably never will be. But he has top notch link up play and improves everyone around him.

And if we're cherry picking stats from the period where him and Kobbie were barely getting a look in, here's another one:
He played about 205 minutes in our last 20 premier league games. That's roughly 11 minutes a game.

Yeah, shocking that he wasn't banging in goals every week with all that time on the pitch.
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Redcafe has a very negative contingent that seem to just post the same things over and over without taking on new information or softening their opinion. It is what it is... but good post nontheless
 
Frank White said:
Lovely goal but he spends 90% of the game anywhere but in the box. Don't know if you want that from your striker if he's not named Kane but he played decent today.
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Zirkzee isn't a striker. Playing in the box takes away his strengths because he is better at creating chances than scoring or heading.

Today he played as a SS playing behind Mbeumo which is how he has played most of his career.

Zirkzee wants to play with his back to goal behind a forwards either wider or in front of him so he can dictate play to all the players around him and then arrive late in the box.

Mbeumos assist to Zirkzee is very similair to Zirkzees goal vs Everton with Rashford.

I'd have Zirkzee over bloody Welbeck because Mbeumo is better than Welbeck and Zirkzee gives us a different tactical player as a squad player.
 
Mr. Burns Tuchel said:
Zirkzee isn't a striker. Playing in the box takes away his strengths because he is better at creating chances than scoring or heading.

Today he played as a SS playing behind Mbeumo which is how he has played most of his career.

Zirkzee wants to play with his back to goal behind a forwards either wider or in front of him so he can dictate play to all the players around him and then arrive late in the box.

Mbeumos assist to Zirkzee is very similair to Zirkzees goal vs Everton with Rashford.

I'd have Zirkzee over bloody Welbeck because Mbeumo is better than Welbeck and Zirkzee gives us a different tactical player as a squad player.
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The problem with this is we do not play with a support striker so you can only get him into that position when Bruno is not playing and as we have seen over the years that is essentially never. It is also the case that when he was played as a 10 under Amorim the experiement was scrapped very rapidly because the pace and physicality of Premier League games was too much for him. I don't think him playing well in pre season games means anything in that context.

The club has decided to part company and a deal with Juve seems to be fairly advanced so I very much doubt he will be here when we kick off against Hull. Last summer Rasmus came in like a man on a mission and was bagging goals on our pre season tour but it made no difference, he had arrived at the INEOS 2 year limit for a decision on keep or sell and off he went and that is where Zirkzee is now.
 
He's actually looked a lot better in pre-season than I thought he was capable of showing for us. I still don't think it'll count for much when the competitive games roll around but he's looked decent when the games are played a couple of seconds slower than normal.
 
I've said this before, I think he should be a deeper option. He was never going to be that out and out striker. He just doesn't have that instinct, but he has other attributes which could be utlised when in a deeper role. Maybe being a 2nd striker option or just some bought on as a 10 from Bruno. He's still reasonably young and is still finding his place or position.
 
Mr. Burns Tuchel said:
Zirkzee isn't a striker. Playing in the box takes away his strengths because he is better at creating chances than scoring or heading.

Today he played as a SS playing behind Mbeumo which is how he has played most of his career.

Zirkzee wants to play with his back to goal behind a forwards either wider or in front of him so he can dictate play to all the players around him and then arrive late in the box.

Mbeumos assist to Zirkzee is very similair to Zirkzees goal vs Everton with Rashford.

I'd have Zirkzee over bloody Welbeck because Mbeumo is better than Welbeck and Zirkzee gives us a different tactical player as a squad player.
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Playing with your back to goal behind a centre forward is a very unique position. I doubt many managers would want that from their 10/ second striker.
 
he's a Bruno option which means he won't play quite obviously

not sure if he could play as a false 9 with Cunha/Mbuemo running beyond

might be a backup option

shame he's lacking some key physical attributes as he was probably the most skillful player on the pitch tonight. Berbatov-esque at times
 
Apart from Mbeumo, ZZ was our best player yesterday, playing in the no.10 role.
Strong in possession and quick and insightful in his passing, as well as showing some great skill.
He looked great and even got a goal.
Still can’t run though, which is essential in the EPL.
We need an out and out, goal poaching striker, a fox-in-the-box type, which is admittedly hard to find.
ZZ is a million miles away from being that type of player.
 
You saw some more of his potential yesterday and why the club decided to take a punt on him in the first place. Definitely going to have a good career. The question is whether he's good enough to be playing at the business end of the Prem. Personally I don't think he does, so I'm hoping we get an offer from Juve still.
 
afrocentricity said:
Redcafe has a very negative contingent that seem to just post the same things over and over without taking on new information or softening their opinion. It is what it is... but good post nontheless
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Agree. Once an opinion is formed, it wont change anymore. Every bad moment will be used as a 'told you so' moment but good moments will be ignored. Even if there are way more good than bad moments.
 
Stadjer said:
Agree. Once an opinion is formed, it wont change anymore. Every bad moment will be used as a 'told you so' moment but good moments will be ignored. Even if there are way more good than bad moments.
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In Zirkzee's case I think the negativity is warranted. He has been here for 2 seasons and the vast majority of the time when he plays or comes on it results in a big drop in quality. Your previous post talked about his low no of goals being a product of his minutes. I think the majority of fans accepted that Zirkzee was a striker in the mould of Firmino (although it would be great if he could score). However, what he was brought in for, his link up play, he has struggled at over 2 consecutive seasons. He has also struggled with his decision making and mobility in our matches. Whilst he is more talented than Weghorst, the latter had a better impact which shouldn't be the case. When Berrada came in as a fan base we liked his take that if you invest in a player and they don't perform for 2 seasons then you should move them on. We should be doing the same with Zirkzee and a few pre season games when the games are generally slower shouldn't change that.
 
flameinthesun said:
In Zirkzee's case I think the negativity is warranted. He has been here for 2 seasons and the vast majority of the time when he plays or comes on it results in a big drop in quality. Your previous post talked about his low no of goals being a product of his minutes. I think the majority of fans accepted that Zirkzee was a striker in the mould of Firmino (although it would be great if he could score). However, what he was brought in for, his link up play, he has struggled at over 2 consecutive seasons. He has also struggled with his decision making and mobility in our matches. Whilst he is more talented than Weghorst, the latter had a better impact which shouldn't be the case. When Berrada came in as a fan base we liked his take that if you invest in a player and they don't perform for 2 seasons then you should move them on. We should be doing the same with Zirkzee and a few pre season games when the games are generally slower shouldn't change that.
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Zirkzee joined when Ten Hag was given his last chance - not when Ten Hag was in his prime management at United.

Then Amorim came and got the best out of no Players whatsoever, Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Amad, Dorgu and even then at one point Zirkzee looked one of our better players on the pitch.

Also whilst Zirkzee doesn't play like Firminho, Firmjnho was interlinking with Sadio Mane & Salah.

Zirkzee was interlinking with Garnacho, Hojlund, Amad, Rashford & Antony. I've watched compilation videos and Garnacho in particular fumbles so many opportunities that Zirkzee has set up for him.

I remember how sh*t Cunha looked under Amorim & if Amorim stayed for another 2 years then there's a high probability that Cunha wouldn't have made the mark here at United even as a better player. Every player went from a level C to a level B and above as soon as Carrick joined and whilst we are seeing it in Preseason only; the same thing is happening to Zirkzee.

The only reason I want Zirkzee to stay is because he is a skillfull player and we actually have a technical enough team to accurately judge his ability for once rather than judge him in a team that has no technical identity whatsoever.

I don't think missing out on a sale this summer is going to drastically reduce his transfer fee if all we are getting is loans right now anyway.

Rashford is probably the best player that Zirkzee can interlink with, similar to Martial and Rashford; it gives us a really massive plan B in matches in my opinion even if he isnt ever part of our plan A.
 
I've done a complete 180 on him. From thinking he was barely a footballer in that dreadful first half against Newcastle and wanting us to punt him to the moon... to now thinking he's decent and I'm happy if he stays.

Think he'll contribute quite well if he does.
 
Why does everyone want us to get rid of Zirkzee, I hope you know Ineos won’t replace him.
He is a good squad player.
 
Very well taken goal and some decent interplay dropping deep. Still want him to leave though, just doesn't have that tenacity, always looks a step back.
 
Happy to keep Zirkzee. He is learning to use his size and his link up play has always been good. There may be hope yet. We should definitely not accept bids lower than what we paid him, that's for sure.
 
Happy to see stances softening.... Never understood the cafe urge to get rid of everyone each off season even when there is no upside...
 
Excellent preseason from him, you have to say. A bit of zip in his passes, a bit of urgency in his movements that we're not always used to seeing.
 
No rumours about him leaving like there were before so probably we're not interested in a loan and there's no club ready to buy.

Haven't watched preseason but happy to read good stuff about him. He was good for us in Europa League in 24/25. But struggled in PL in both seasons so it's difficult to have big expectations. Hope he proves me wrong. We'll combine Šeško Zirkzee, Mbeumo, Cunha up front probably. That doesn't sound too bad.
 
He's fine as a squad option. Its just about whether he's good with that. All the stories came out when he wasnt playing much and just coming off the bench sometimes. Thats the role thats available to him so he can accept it, or we can find a buyer
 
A two year rule to prove oneself without context is stupid. I‘d seriously consider keeping Zirkzee at this point, unless a top striker becomes available which I don‘t see happening. Even then, we can use his different profile.
 
I honesty think its an absolute no-brainer te keep him, unless a club comes along which want to pay minimum of 20 million euros for him.. I defiintely wouldn't loan him without obligatory buy clause.

We will have a very busy schedule and with cup and european games he can get loads of minutes. We arent stacked upfront centrally and he offers something completely different than our other central options.. Also I think especially in Europe he can be very valuable and it might even increase its value. Perhaps also getting more minutes will also help him grow into the team more than with the averaged 10 minutes per game he got last season (in the games he got).
 
NLunited said:
A two year rule to prove oneself without context is stupid. I‘d seriously consider keeping Zirkzee at this point, unless a top striker becomes available which I don‘t see happening. Even then, we can use his different profile.
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He hasn't played as a striker though and Bruno is always the #10 so not sure how it's supposed to work, I wouldn't mind him playing in Europe but as a striker I don't see him making those runs across the man or showing that movement, he seems to want to naturally drop deeper and get involved too much in the play (Which he's good at) but it's not what you want from your striker surely.
 
AngeloHenriquez said:
He hasn't played as a striker though and Bruno is always the #10 so not sure how it's supposed to work, I wouldn't mind him playing in Europe but as a striker I don't see him making those runs across the man or showing that movement, he seems to want to naturally drop deeper and get involved too much in the play (Which he's good at) but it's not what you want from your striker surely.
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Theoretically with wingers such as Rashford and Mbeumo it could work really well to have a 9 like Zirkzee... But then you also really need a 10 who has the ability to make runs in the spaces he leaves.. A bit like Firmino played with Salah and Mane and Wijnaldun behind them
 
BrilliantOrange said:
Theoretically with wingers such as Rashford and Mbeumo it could work really well to have a 9 like Zirkzee... But then you also really need a 10 who has the ability to make runs in the spaces he leaves.. A bit like Firmino played with Salah and Mane and Wijnaldun behind them
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It would be worth trying alright
 
Olecurls99 said:
It would be worth trying alright
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It would be really nice to have to option... Zirkzee as 9 with Amad and Cunha as wingers with 10 behind him would be horrific...

I think factors like this are by the majority of pundits/fans not taken into account enough when judging a player and evaluate performances.. "If you just judge Zirkzee and come with comes like: he needs to make runs behind the defense". Its just lazy and easy scoring for people who are already eager to have their preference/bias confirmed about a player..
 
afrocentricity said:
Happy to see stances softening.... Never understood the cafe urge to get rid of everyone each off season even when there is no upside...
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Id prefer his minutes going to an academy forward if we aren't going to upgrade on him this summer
 
MiceOnMeth said:
Don't know because we've been dire at giving academy lads a chance for years now
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Are we supposed to create an academy forward out of thin air when there is none that can cope at the level required? Unless we are replacing Zirkzee with another forward, there is no point on sending him out on loan with option or obligation.
 
Not falling for this preseason form, he can’t cut it in this league and everyone knows it.

Wish him well as he’s a decent bloke, but we need to stop having players just lingering at the club.
 
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