It was a difficult season for everyone at Manchester United, but Joshua Zirkzee was still able to take positive memories from his first campaign as a Red Devil.
Manchester United endured a campaign of shortcomings in 2024/25. From finishing 15th in the Premier League to losing the Europa League, it couldn’t get much worse for Ruben Amorim in his first six months as head coach.
It means there is plenty of reason for the players to come into the new season with lots to prove. They are high-earning professionals expected to be at the top of their game, with the honour of representing a club like United.
The difficult season made it even harder for new signings to adjust to their new surroundings, such as Dutch duo Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee.
Hopefully, with a full pre-season under their belt this summer, United’s first team will be better prepared for the 2025/26 season.
It will also be Amorim’s first pre-season as United head coach. Part of those preparations could see Amorim axe four members for the tour squad.
Joshua Zirkzee keeping the ball against Real Sociedad
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Joshua Zirkzee enjoys the Old Trafford atmosphere
While there wasn’t much to scream about last season, United went unbeaten in the Europa League until the final.
There were some memorable nights at Old Trafford against Real Sociedad and Lyon that will live long in the memory of Amorim and his players; however, they were unable to clinch the trophy in Bilbao.
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Speaking to club media about his best moments at United so far, Zirkzee pointed out the Europa League last-16 second leg as the night he truly witnessed the power of the Old Trafford faithful.
“The Real Sociedad home game was, for me, maybe the first time I saw Old Trafford really go crazy,” Zirkzee told ManUtd.com. “Like, no matter the situation, because they scored first and I think that was the first time we turned the game around because of the fans. They just really took us there!
“That was nice, that was really nice and everyone was fired up because of that. It is up there with one of my better performances but I think everyone in the team played really good in that game and, as I said, the fans really took us there. You start playing with confidence and great things happen. That was a special night.”
We all hope there are more moments to cheer about next season.
Zirkzee gained confidence from United fans
A big deal was made out of a minority of fans who jeered Zirkzee at Old Trafford earlier this season.
A few weeks later, United’s away following responded by rallying behind Zirkzee by singing his name at Anfield.
Zirkzee has revealed that it gave him plenty of confidence to kick on and work harder.
“Yeah, 100 per cent, confidence and more so it gave a reason to work even harder to do ever more to not let them down,” he added.
“The least you can do is repay them with hard work.”