Former footballer Ruud Gullit has expressed his concerns over Manchester United’s recent signing, Joshua Zirkzee, suggesting that the Dutch striker may have made a mistake in joining the club. Zirkzee made the move to Old Trafford from Bologna during the summer transfer window, following a successful season in Serie A that attracted interest from multiple clubs.
Although Zirkzee initially impressed by scoring a winning goal on his Premier League debut against Fulham, he has since struggled to make a significant impact for Manchester United amidst a backdrop of wider issues within the club. With manager Erik ten Hag facing mounting pressure and speculation about his future, Gullit believes that the environment at Manchester United has become challenging for players to thrive in.
In an interview with Italian newspaper Gazzetto della Sport, Gullit suggested that Zirkzee would have been better off joining AC Milan instead of Manchester United. The former Dutch international explained, “Zirkzee would have done better to say yes to Milan instead of moving to Manchester United in England. Now, instead, he is at a club that has so many problems. He’s good, no doubt about that, but at United, it’s hard to do well.”
Despite the struggles within the Manchester United setup, Zirkzee has been a regular starter under Ten Hag, particularly in the absence of Rasmus Hojlund due to injury. The 23-year-old, who was part of Ronald Koeman’s squad at Euro 2024, made his debut for the Netherlands during the quarter-final victory over Turkey.
Gullit’s comments highlight the challenges that Zirkzee and other players may face when joining a club like Manchester United, where off-field issues can impact performance on the pitch. As speculation continues to swirl around the club, it remains to be seen how Zirkzee and his teammates will navigate the challenges ahead in the Premier League.