Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Joshua Zirkzee has shown what he can do this pre-season. But it’s the same old story.
Over the past fortnight, there have been whisperings of interest from Serie A side Juventus in Joshua Zirkzee.
Whether the speculation materialises into a bid or not, I struggle to see a path forward for Zirkzee at Manchester United in a meaningful way.
Manchester United v Atletico de Madrid - Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Joshua Zirkzee dropped by Michael Carrick
It is important not to get too carried away by pre-season, but when it comes to first team players, you can gleam some takeaways.
It was notable that against Atletico Madrid, Joshua Zirkzee was dropped to the bench.
Why did this happen?
Zirkzee was dropped because Amad was available for the first time, and Michael Carrick decided he would rather start Bryan Mbeumo up front than drop the Cameroon international.
Even though the Dutchman could play in an attacking midfield role, Carrick decided this was not worth experimenting with, and opted for teenager Shea Lacey instead.
Zirkzee has had little luck under Michael Carrick. He started only one game under him last season, a 0-0 draw away at Sunderland.
Mbeumo scored two goals against Atletico Madrid, seizing his chance to be United’s Benjamin Sesko alternative.
Sesko is back in training at Carrington and will soon overtake Zirkzee again in Carrick’s thoughts.
Matheus Cunha is an alternate option who could also play up front, as he did for Brazil at the World Cup.
If Zirkzee cannot keep his place in the team for the third game of pre-season, when Sesko and Cunha are unavailable, then he stands little chance for when the season begins.
United will not start rotating until the Champions League begins in early September, and even then, it would be a surprise if Zirkzee starts a game before the international break.
If an offer from Juventus comes in that is tempting to United, they should take it and move on, to bring in a player who Carrick actually believes in.
History repeats itself for Zirkzee
Being dropped to face Atletico will be galling for Zirkzee, because just a week earlier, he scored a superb goal in the 5-0 win over Rosenborg.
Zirkzee’s solo goal showed the qualities he has at his disposal, even though it is unlikely he would get the same time and space in the Premier League.
The Dutchman will feel that he deserved to start, and was unfortunate to be dropped so soon after a standout moment.
Last season Zirkzee’s best moment came in a 2-1 win away at Crystal Palace, in which he lashed a low shot into the net at Selhurst Park to spark a comeback victory.
He started only one of the next seven games, despite injuries and player departures to AFCON.
This is Zirkzee’s first pre-season for United, and while that could bring a change in fortunes, it looks like the writing is on the wall for him, with history repeating itself.
He could leave and start a new challenge elsewhere, or stay put and spend the majority of his season on Manchester United’s bench.