Manchester United finished trophyless last season with 15th position in the league so it’s fair to say that there’s a lot to improve on, and one player has got the memo.
Not many players can emerge from such hubris of a season with their reputation intact, never mind enhanced.
That is the case at Man Utd as well, prompting calls for a complete rebuild, akin to what Ruben Amorim did at Sporting in his first summer.
One player in the Man Utd squad is safe from it, however, in a remarkable turnaround, and he’s just shown why.
Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United (R) fist bumps team mate Mason Mount (L) after drawing 2-2 with Olympique Lyonnais in the UEFA Europa League 2024/25
Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images
Joshua Zirkzee training weakest part of his game
A season that was quickly spiralling downwards for Joshua Zirkzee became a story of comeback and resilience instead as he gained fan favourite status.
Amorim has big plans for Zirkzee next season, and his potential fit with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo is tantalising.
With two goal-scoring midfielders behind him, he can do what he does best – link the play up, drop deep, and scramble defensive lines with his silky dribbles.
However, that doesn’t mean he will be completely free of any goalscoring responsibility, which is why it’s heartening to see him working on his shooting before pre-season begins.
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United’s pre-season begins on July 7 when the players report to training, and Zirkzee is ensuring he does so in the best possible shape after failing to do so last season.
In an Instagram story posted by @trainerlimasi, likely Zirkzee’s personal trainer, the Dutchman can be seen going through intense shooting drills.
Joshua Zirkzee shooting training - Insta story
Joshua Zirkzee shooting training – Instagram story (trainerlimasi)
Zirkzee will be key next season
United’s striker search is floundering a bit, so they have to be prepared to think about the worst-case scenario, which is starting the Premier League season without a new No. 9.
Zirkzee becomes key in that case because he was showing, as the last season ticked on, that he was getting used to the Premier League.
A certain swagger in his dribbles and confidence in his passing were shining through as he matched up to the physicality, and Amorim will be banking on seeing more of it next season.
He was a model professional in his lowest of lows, and that made him a favourite when his good days arrived.
Now he will be tasked to lead the club’s good days as the focal point, and he’s already off to a good start.