JOSHUA ZIRKZEE NAMES THE MAN UTD ICON HE 'LOOKED UP TO' GROWING UP
New Manchester United signing Joshua Zirkzee has revealed his two footballing heroes growing up – one of whom used to star for the Red Devils.
Zirkzee completed his move from Bologna to United last weekend in a deal worth around £36.5million.
The centre-forward scored 12 goals and made seven assists last season to help the Italian club qualify for the Champions League and has become the first signing of the Sir Jim Ratcliffe era at Old Trafford.
‘It wasn’t a difficult decision. I mean, I love Bologna a lot, but Manchester United just gave me a very, very good feeling,’ Zirkzee said in a new interview with MUTV.
‘I’m confident that what’s planned will also happen. It’s been a rollercoaster the past few weeks. But some very good experiences. I’m very happy to be here.’
And when asked who his footballing idols were, the Dutchman cited Brazil legend Ronaldinho as well as former United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
‘Ronaldinho was for sure my hero. As I grew older, Ibrahimovic as well was, someone I really looked up to, but I think Ronaldinho was my favourite.’
One of the greatest goalscorers of all-time, Ibrahimovic spent just 18 months at Old Trafford between 2016 and 2018 but had a huge impact, scoring 29 goals and winning the League Cup and Europa League.
Incidentally, Ibrahimovic is senior advisor to AC Milan who battled United for Zirkzee’s signature, though the former Sweden star claims he was ‘not disappointed’ that the Italian giants missed out.
It certainly sounds as if Zirkzee’s game has been influenced by both his idols adding that he is a: ‘Creative player, good with the ball. I’m a bit unpredictable at times. I think those are the perfect words for me.
‘It’s best to entertain with the whole team, not necessarily as an individual. You have to make the fans who come to the stadium happy as well about the game.
‘As a young boy growing up, playing mostly with tougher, bigger guys who are older than you, makes you adapt. I think it’s something that you learn at a young age in Holland. Especially where I’m from, this was the case.’
The 23-year-old will hope to have a similar impact to Ibrahimovic but he won’t be linking up with his new United teammates until the start of August as he’s due some time off after the Netherlands’ run to the semi-finals of Euro 2024.
He’ll still be in line to make his Red Devils debut when they kick-off the season with the Community Shield against Manchester City.
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2024-07-17T17:15:29Z dg43tfdfdgfd