“Tell me if he seems like the same player we admired at Bologna” - Fabio Capello explains reason behind Zirkzee’s struggles at Manchester United
Former England manager Fabio Capello has commented on the struggles of former Bologna man Joshua Zirkzee at Manchester United. The Dutch striker joined the Red Devils in the summer but has struggled to replicate the form that prompted them to sign him from Italy.
A former Bayern Munich prodigy, Zirkzee was on the radar of AC Milan before signing with Manchester United for a reported £36.5 million. The 23-year-old scored on his debut for the Red Devils, netting a late winner at Old Trafford to earn his side a 1-0 win over Fulham in August. Since then, the Dutchman has failed to find the back of the net for the side in 11 games, struggling in front of goal.
In his column for the Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport, Fabio Capello dedicated a section to explaining Zirkzee's struggles in England. The former manager detailed the stark differences that exist between football in Italy and England as a major reason for Zirkzee's lack of goals. He wrote:
“Go watch Zirkzee play in the Premier League and tell me if he seems like the same player we admired at Bologna. In Italy, he did what he wanted, in England, he doesn’t even have time to think about the play before the ball is stolen from him. More or less the same thing happens to our [Italian] teams.”
Standing at an impressive 6'4, the striker has an imposing figure. However, is more accustomed to playing in tight spaces with his nimble feet rather than being a battering ram up top. The striker has described himself as a 9.5 in the past as he looked to move away from the tag that follows his physique and position.
Zirkzee managed 12 goals and seven assists in 37 games for Bologna in the 2023-24 season and has been linked with a potential return to Italy on loan. However, the rumors appear to be untrue, as the player remains focused on Manchester United.
Manchester United in talks with managers ahead of potential ten Hag exit - Reports
Manchester United have reportedly commenced talks with a number of managerial targets with a view to replacing Erik ten Hag if the need arises. The Red Devils have endured a disappointing 2024-25 season so far. They find themselves in the bottom half of the Premier League table in 12th place after eight games.
The club considered getting a new manager in the summer after Ten Hag led them to an eighth-place finish in the league last season. Mail Sport reports that the club have, in fact, held secret talks with a number of potential managers over potentially taking over.
The likes of Xavi, Ruben Amorim, Thomas Frank, and Edin Terzic all feature on the club's list of managers to potentially take over. Ten Hag faces an unofficial battle to keep his job at Manchester United, with improved results expected of the manager.
Former Barcelona boss Xavi has been out of a job since his firing from the Spanish club at the end of the 2023-24 season. Terzic also a free agent, having left Borussia Dortmund in the summer. Amorim and Frank are two of Europe's most highly-rated young managers, the latter of whom was on their radar last summer, as well.