Out of the storm which remains ongoing at Manchester United, some star players are emerging for Ruben Amorim.
After a tough start at Old Trafford, things have slowly been getting better for number 11 Joshua Zirkzee.
The performances of Zirkzee recently have impressed Casemiro and it is obvious why considering the improvements he has made since joining the club.
Zirkzee ’caused havoc’ and was quality against Real Sociedad, he scored his sixth goal of the season in the clash which isn’t good enough but is something he is working hard to improve.
With his all-around performances improving for Manchester United by the week. Now, it has emerged that Zirkzee has taken a page from Cristiano Ronaldo’s book in his bid to establish himself at the club.
It is a move which will pay off for Zirkzee.
Photo by Ion Alcoba Beitia/Getty Images
Photo by Ion Alcoba Beitia/Getty Images
Joshua Zirkzee is putting in the hard yards for Manchester United
Ronaldo is a United legend, and his mentality is among the strongest things about him. Ronaldo’s work ethic was lauded by Nicky Butt who claimed he was, “the last to leave the building,” he explained in the book, ‘Viva Ronaldo!: The Second Coming of Cristiano’.
“In fact, you couldn’t get him off the training pitch as he worked relentlessly on his techniques, as we all walked off he was carrying a bag of balls to work on those techniques.
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“We would be having lunch in the canteen or getting ready to go home and you could hear the voice of Sir Alex bellowing across the training fields at two or three o’clock in the afternoon, shouting at Cristiano that it was time to get off the pitch as ‘we have a game in two days – enough now!’”
Well, now it has emerged that Zirkzee is doing similar things at Carrington.
According to The Times, United staff have said that Zirkzee has been regularly staying behind at Carrington for extra training.
The Dutchman has been working after hours with Carlos Fernandez on his shooting and finishing in a clear effort to improve upon one of United’s biggest issues.
Zirkzee is often the final first-team player to leave the training ground, as he undergoes saunas, ice baths and massages to get himself into the best physical condition.
This would explain why Zirkzee has looked like United’s sharpest player in recent weeks, a complete turnaround for the forward.
Joshua Zirkzee has turned his Manchester United career around
It was just three short months ago that Zirkzee was hooked at half-time after a horrific first-half performance, to the elation of Old Trafford.
This was a bad moment for the club and it would have led to fewer players seeking the exit doors at the club in January, instead, Zirkzee has gone the opposite route.
United players urged Zirkzee to stay at the club, and the 6ft 4in attacking midfielder was keen to remain and make himself a success at Old Trafford.
So Zirkzee has knuckled down and earned his place at the club, long may it continue and hopefully he will add more goals to his game going forward, after his extra shooting practice.
His rewards will come, as Amorim indicated after Thursday’s draw with Sociedad.
“He [Zirkzee] deserves it, because he works very well. He improves a lot of things in his game. He deserves this moment. He was very important for us today.”