Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna as they look to reinforce their frontline. The Dutchman was key as Bologna secured a top-four finish and his performances caught the eye. AC Milan and Arsenal were credited with an interest in the 23-year-old but it's United who look to have won the race to secure his services.
Ahead of his impending move to Old Trafford we've taken a look at the ways in which United could line up with Zirkzee in the side.
As the lone striker
Thiago Motta routinely went with a system that required a lone striker last season. 4-2-3-1 was his preference, though he also used a 4-1-4-1 or a 4-3-3 setup on occasion. For the most part, it was a formation that required a lone striker, which is not too dissimilar to the setup Erik ten Hag has implemented at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag's preference was also a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Rasmus Hojlund first choice on the frontline. However, when the Dane was either out of form or injured, Ten Hag didn't have an alternative to call upon, which hurt United. With Zirkzee suited to playing as the lone forward, Ten Hag at least has options now, a luxury he couldn't call upon last season.
As a support striker
While Joshua Zirkee's favourite position is up front, he isn't a striker who'll remain in the box and wait for chances. The 23-year-old is able to play in the number 10 role, not necessarily in a creative role in the same vein as Bruno Fernandes, but one who can support the striker in a 4-2-3-1 system.
Even so, the Netherlands international has shown a desire to create for others, evident in that he averaged a modest 1.4 key passes per 90 in Serie A last season. While this translated to just four assists, that's down to his teammates' profligacy rather than Zirkzee himself. With an average of 1.7 successful dribbles per 90, too, Zirkzee isn't afraid to run at opponents, which would help open up gaps in the final third that can be exploited. The versatility to his game also eases the pressure on Fernandes to play as regularly as he does.
🇳🇱 Joshua Zirkzee's statistically calculated WhoScored characteristics:
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) July 7, 2024
✅ Strengths
🟢 Dribbling
🟢 Passing
🟢 Through balls
🟢 Defensive contribution
❌ Weaknesses
𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙣𝙤 𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨 pic.twitter.com/mGn8VjuqUl
As a partner for Rasmus Hojlund
Rasmus Hojlund is no stranger to playing in a two-man striker system. The youngster does so for Denmark and was often partnered with another in his final season at Atalanta. With Hojlund one who'll look to make runs in behind defences, he stands to benefit from a striker who drops a little deeper in search of possession.
Whether Erik ten Hag will switch up his system to accomodate both Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee remains to be seen, but when United are pressing for a goal; the option to have both strikers on the pitch at the same time is one the Dutch boss would welcome.
