Erik ten Hag says Manchester United signed Joshua Zirkzee because he offers a different kind of threat up front, giving him tactical flexibility as the club look to build on the foundations of last season’s FA Cup win.
The Red Devils endured a difficult 2023/24 campaign, crashing out of the Champions League at the group stage before recording their worst-ever Premier League finish, but their 19 defeats in all competitions was a blow softened by the FA Cup final win over neighbourhood rivals Manchester City.
That victory ensured entry into this season’s Europa League, at the expense of Chelsea, and Ten Hag has been handed a contract extension as INEOS look to back the former Ajax manager rather than replacing him.
United have made a number of moves in the transfer market, attempting to sign centre-backs Matthijs de Ligt, Jarrad Branthwaite and Leny Yoro, but their first bit of major business has been securing the signature of 23-year-old Zirkzee.
Zirzkee, who made his Netherlands debut at Euro 2024, has signed a five-year contract at Old Trafford, and Ten Hag is confident he’ll add a different dynamic to a United attack that was spearheaded last season by Rasmus Hojlund.
“He is a player who can link up the game,” Ten Hag told reporters after United’s pre-season defeat to Rosenborg. “Who can be available, hold up the ball, have good ideas, be creative, can dribble, [make] combinations.
“So that’s a different type and always what we are looking for, so it gives us more options tactically, which is good because, especially up front, we have many players who can play very direct and they can take a big benefit from his skills.”
Ten Hag admitted that Zirkzee’s arrival provides United much-needed depth, particularly as the club struggled at times last season with a myriad of injuries.
“I think we showed we can beat the best team in the world on the last occasion of the season,” he said. “So when everyone is fit, we already have a good team and achieve a high level.
“But also we know, in the depth, we need more players. Especially this season, again more games, the new model, the new format of Europe – you’ll have more games in a season, more intense games, no winter break, a January that’s very condensed.
“You need squad depth. Then it’s more and more about survival of the fittest.”
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