Joshua Zirkzee celebrates with his Manchester United teammates after scoring against Real Sociedad.
Joshua Zirkzee (centre) was on target against Real Sociedad.
Joshua Zirkzee has experienced just about every emotion possible since he joined Manchester United from Bologna last summer.
From being jeered off the pitch by some fans against Newcastle United at Old Trafford in December to the euphoria of dispatching the winning penalty in United's FA Cup third round triumph over Arsenal less than two weeks later, he has experienced it all.
He has also experienced the thrill of scoring on his debut at the Stretford End. To say his adaptation period has not been straightforward is an understatement.
But after being needlessly jeered off the pitch by some fans in the first half against Newcastle in United's final outing of 2024, the Dutchman has bounced back and become one of United's most consistent performers in recent weeks. Others would have cowered into a corner and wanted to hide.
Zirkzee has now scored in all four competitions United have participated in this season after he opened the scoring in Thursday evening's 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad in the first leg of the Reds' Europa League last-16 tie.
Connecting with Alejandro Garnacho's pull-back, the 23-year-old swept home a cool finish from the edge of the box. It marked his sixth goal of the season and his first in European football in his senior career.
Just as he had against Tottenham Hotspur, Ipswich Town, Everton and Leicester City, he started as the right-sided No.10. In the absence of Amad and Kobbie Mainoo, head coach Ruben Amorim has been forced to change his attack.
Rasmus Hojlund led the line in San Sebastian and was supported by Garnacho and Zirkzee. It was the most obvious attack Amorim has selected since he arrived in November.
But while there is no denying United's attack will need upgrading in the summer, Zirkzee's recent transition to a No.10 role must be giving Amorim food for thought. After United signed the former Bayern Munich man last summer, it soon became clear he was not the No.9 they needed to support Hojlund.
Joshua Zirkzee (right) is not a like-for-like alternative to Rasmus Hojlund. (Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images.)
His showing against Sociedad was up there with his best in United colours thus far. Zirkzee regularly dropped deep, finding pockets of space to collect possession and advance forward or look for a progressive pass.
Zirkzee is very good with the ball at his feet, often skipping away from defenders. As a No.9, he was unable to demonstrate his qualities, though it is worth remembering that is not his natural position. Zirkzee described himself as a '9.5' after arriving at Old Trafford last summer, admitting he is a mix between a No.9 and a No.10. His recent performances have shown he is comfortable as a No.10.
There is no doubt Amorim has had to deploy Zirkzee in the No.10 position as a result of injuries elsewhere in the squad, but that has allowed the Dutchman to get a consistent run in the team and demonstrate what he can offer. He has been United's best attacker in recent games by some distance, even if his goal tally does not suggest so.
Zirkzee is a technical operator and United need more players of his ilk around him. Amad, currently sidelined with an ankle injury, is one of them.
When Zirkzee arrived at United, he was signed with the intention of playing as No.9 and competing with Hojlund to lead the line. The task of settling into a new country, having to adjust to a role that was not his natural role and cope with the demands of playing for United and the pressures that come with it was never going to be easy.
But as the campaign has developed and Zirkzee's role has changed, United and their supporters are starting to see evidence of what he can bring to the table. His positional switch has allowed him to showcase the best version of himself and supporters' opinions on him are changing.
Signed by Erik ten Hag to offer support for Hojlund, he is now flourishing as one of the two No.10s - and that is thanks to Amorim's decision to experiment with him in an alternative role. He suits the No.10 position amid his desire to drop deep and collect the ball.
Of course, the downside to all of this is that Amorim does not have a senior No.9 to compete with Hojlund and that's something he desperately needs. But Zirkzee was never likely to solve United's centre forward issues and it's something they will need to address in the summer.
At least Amorim has found himself a solid option at No.10.