“He’s not someone who can score 25 goals” - Paolo Di Canio fires shots at ‘slow’ Manchester United star, urges Red Devils to loan him out
Former Italy forward Paolo Di Canio has taken a dig at Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee. He raised questions about his effectiveness in the Premier League and even suggested that he should be loaned out.
The Red Devils paid €40 million to sign Zirkzee from Bologna in the summer. He arrived on the back of a good 2023-24 season, where he registered 12 goals and seven assists in 37 games for the Italian side. He helped them qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 60 years.
Zirkzee had an excellent start to life at Manchester United as well. He scored the winner after coming on as a substitute in their 1-0 win over Fulham at Old Trafford on the opening day. However, he hasn't scored since. In a recent interview, Paolo Di Canio said that the Red Devils should loan the Dutchman out. He said (via Football365):
"I would loan Zirkzee from Manchester United. They’ve been making crazy choices for several years and none of them are working, not even Zirkzee who’s a bit too slow for the Premier League. Perhaps he’ll prove me wrong with goals and great performances, but in England, they attack you straight away and whistle 30 per cent fewer fouls.
“In Italy, we saw his impact on Bologna. In the end, amidst the confusion at United, they could even loan him out. They already have [Rasmus] Hojlund, and then there’s [Marcus] Rashford who can play as a striker."
Di Canio also said that Zirkzee would fit in well at Juventus under Thiago Motta:
“He’d be the perfect profile for Juventus, also because it would allow Motta to have a striker with different characteristics to [Dusan] Vlahovic. Zirkzee isn’t a devastating scorer, he’s not someone who can score 25 goals, but he helps others play well.”
Zirkzee hasn't scored for Erik ten Hag's side in nine appearances since his opening-day goal.
Manchester United managerial target in talks to become England manager: Reports
As per Sky Sports, Thomas Tuchel is in talks with the English FA to become the new England manager. The German is currently unemployed after being sacked by Bayern Munich towards the end of last season.
Lee Carsley is the current interim manager of England, having taken over from Gareth Southgate. The latter was sacked after their Euro 2024 final loss against Spain. Carlsey has overseen four UEFA Nations League 2024-25 matches so far, winning three and losing one.
If Tuchel becomes the new England manager, it could be a big blow to Manchester United as they were also linked with the German. They even spoke to him to replace Erik ten Hag in the summer but a move didn't materialize. With the Dutchman under pressure again this season, the links resurfaced.
Manchester United are 14th in the Premier League table and 21st in the UEFA Europa League table after just three wins in 10 games across competitions.