Joshua Zirkzee has been praised by Manchester United teammate Casemiro, despite enduring a difficult debut season at the club.
The transition from Serie A to the Premier League has been a difficult one for Joshua Zirkzee.
Zirkzee’s spell at Manchester United got off to a flying start when the 23-year-old scored a match winner against Fulham on his competitive debut.
Since then, Zirkzee has scored five more goals, with the latest coming in United’s 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad in the Europa League. That goal came four days after missing the decisive spot-kick in a FA Cup penalty shootout defeat to Fulham.
Zirkzee is getting a run in the team under Ruben Amorim and appears to be finding a role I the team, as one of the two No 10s behind the striker. It shows that he is at least working hard to fit into the head coach’s preferred system.
Photo by Ion Alcoba Beitia/Getty Images
Photo by Ion Alcoba Beitia/Getty Images
Casemiro hails Joshua Zirkzee
Joshua Zirkzee’s goal against La Real midweek was his second in the last 17 games, but Casemiro is happy with the Netherlands international’s contribution to the team.
Casemiro describes Zirkzee as a forward who doesn’t like to stay central. Instead, the former Bologna forward likes to drift into wide positions and create opportunities for his teammates.
Speaking to respected journalist Andy Mitten for The National, Casemiro said: “I’m very happy for him [Zirkzee] and I hope he continues to score goals, which is important for us.
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“He’s a very good player. He’s not a number nine who stays in the middle. He’s a nine who goes out more to the wings, which is why he plays as a bit of a No,10, which is what this coach likes.
“He’s very good, he’s got a lot of quality, he likes to control the ball, to spin. He’s a player who has more quality. It’s a waste to have him standing up front alone.
“He’s not a player who always wants to be up there, leading the attack and scoring goals that way. He’s more of a player who wants to play and create.”
Games Goals Assists
41 6 2
Joshua Zirkzee stats this season
Zirkzee should set himself a target for the remainder of the season to try and reach double figures for goals.
What’s next for Casemiro and Zirkzee?
Although Casemiro recently lost his place in the United first-team, Amorim has no other choice but to start the Brazilian against Arsenal since Manuel Ugarte is out injured.
Casemiro played well against Real Sociedad during the week and he will be looking to replicate that display when United face the Gunners.
The same applies to Zirkzee who will be aiming to score in consecutive games for the Reds.
A win over Arsenal would give United a boost in their attempts to climb out of the bottom half of the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are second in the league and looking to win the title from under Liverpool’s nose.