[Adnan]

Was Zirkzee definitely not an INEOS signing? I had read they preferred to go for him over Welbeck.

The reports indicate he was and like you've mentioned, Welbeck was likely the scouting choice as the back up striker and that made sense for a number of reasons. Jason Wilcox in particular is the one who pushed for both Zirkzee and Ugarte per reports and it wasn't difficult to see that both players didn't have the quality to raise the level in their respective positions hence I was quite vocal in the summer about not seeing the need to sign either player because I didn't see their abilities moving the needle as far as propelling us up the league. But it seems the strategy was to sign players on age rather than raising the physical, athletic and technical qualities of the team and it wasn't difficult to see that both the aforementioned players lacked the requisite abilities to significantly raise level in the team.

But having said that, Ugarte could become a useful player for us but it may require a additional midfielder or two to take responsibility in possession. Zirkzee could also be useful if there's more control and composure in midfield and back-line which may allow him to showcase his strength of bringing others into play.

 

[RopersReturn]

The reports indicate he was and like you've mentioned, Welbeck was likely the scouting choice as the back up striker and that made sense for a number of reasons. Jason Wilcox in particular is the one who pushed for both Zirkzee and Ugarte per reports and it wasn't difficult to see that both players didn't have the quality to raise the level in their respective positions hence I was quite vocal in the summer about not seeing the need to sign either player because I didn't see their abilities moving the needle as far as propelling us up the league. But it seems the strategy was to sign players on age rather than raising the physical, athletic and technical qualities of the team and it wasn't difficult to see that both the aforementioned players lacked the requisite abilities to significantly raise level in the team.

But having said that, Ugarte could become a useful player for us but it may require an additional midfielder or two to take responsibility in possession. Zirkzee could also be useful if there's more control and composure in midfield and back-line which may allow him to showcase his strength of bringing others into play.

Good post, you make some valid points. I think both players, Ugarte in particular, could prove to eventually be wise investments. Zirkee has the physical capabilities and positional awareness to be a real menace, he just needs to work on his control and speed of execution after receiving the ball.

 

[tenpoless]

Who said that he and Højlund have the potential to form a Dwight Yorke-Andy Cole type of striker partnership? ban the poster.

 

[DaniDan]

Damn, just saw that the dude is 23 years only. He really looks like +10 years older. His appearance but also the way he plays. If you're that slow at that age, I guess there is no hope.

 

[ScholesBrain]

My biggest concern on him is his lack of fight and desire.

 

[JBG]

Wonder if the scouts and ETH saw this clip and thought, "perfect, exactly what we need, an even bigger clown infront of goal".

 

[Devil81]

If anyone is in doubt about lazy attitude watch the early summer clips from training when arrived on Instagram. He was putting as much effort in to the exercises I'd expect from a 5 year old.

I mentioned this in the comments and have been proven correct from my early views.

 

[Paddymcc]

If he was any more laid back he would be laying down.

 

[astracrazy]

My biggest concern on him is his lack of fight and desire.

My biggest concern is him.

He is terrible, from attitude to potential to quality.

 

[Lu Tze]

I've been a big believer in him and still think he can come good. But right now he seems like the kid that always, even up to the professional level, has been bigger and more technical than his peers, so hasn't had to work quite as hard. Now, hitting the brick wall that is the PL in our dire team, he should be quickly learning that he needs to fight harder than he ever has before on the pitch, or he'll fail.

 

[Bole Top]

bring back Ighalo.

 

[rimaldo]

he looks like he’d rather step in dogshit than break his stride.

 

[crossy1686]

The ‘fat man’ is reporting that Ten Hag didn’t want Zirkzee and he reported for pre season over weight, which has been difficult to lose.

 

[Shark]

How is this tree going to fit into Amorims system.

He won't, and Amorim shouldn't be expected to fit him in for the sake of it. Going by what we've seen so far, he'd be wise to promote one of the younger lads from the academy until January.

 

[tenpoless]

Wonder if the scouts and ETH saw this clip and thought, "perfect, exactly what we need, an even bigger clown infront of goal".

Strengths:
1. Calm in front of goal

Too calm in fact.

 

[Marcus]

We should give the guy some time. He is coming from a slower league. But if he doesn't improve in the next 10 games, we should be very worried.

 

[SoCross]

He looked good in his first few games though. There was one game which he started in and we looked threatening but when subbed off for Hjolund, team looked toothless.

But recent performances have looked dire. Even the Leicester game, nothing was coming off for him.

 

[GoodTimes]

Makes Martial look like Tevez.

 

[Fallon d'Floor]

He looked good in his first few games though. There was one game which he started in and we looked threatening but when subbed off for Hjolund, team looked toothless.

But recent performances have looked dire. Even the Leicester game, nothing was coming off for him.

As times goes on, we can't be sure that his goal vs Fulham wasn't actually meant to be a pass...

 

[Pogue Mahone]

He looked good in his first few games though. There was one game which he started in and we looked threatening but when subbed off for Hjolund, team looked toothless.

But recent performances have looked dire. Even the Leicester game, nothing was coming off for him.

First half against Palace. Probably our best 45 minutes of the season so far.

 

[Marwood]

If anyone is in doubt about lazy attitude watch the early summer clips from training when arrived on Instagram. He was putting as much effort in to the exercises I'd expect from a 5 year old.

I mentioned this in the comments and have been proven correct from my early views.

Yeah I saw that vid they did of his first day and even the way he strolled into the front doors of Carrington.

I know there's a few here who don't like body language type comments but I was worried then.

 

[Hughes35]

A slightly worse version of Rashford to me. And Rashford himself isn't even that great!

I mean I don't rate Zirkzee in the slightest and I'm also a big Rashford critic but they are complete opposites as players.

 

[red_de_pologne]

weird player, he looked really sharp in the first 2-3 games, then something happened

 

[GoodTimes]

weird player, he looked really sharp in the first 2-3 games, then something happened

The same thing that happens with all our attackers. The longer they spent under Ten Hag, the worse they become.

 

[GlazersHater]

We should give the guy some time. He is coming from a slower league. But if he doesn't improve in the next 10 games, we should be very worried.

I think what's he's shown is enough for us to make a decision. Most infuriating thing is he doesn't put on an effort. It's like having a less talented and much slower Martial.

 

[Gabriel Djemba-Bebe]

They're really leaning into calling him overweight, which is a bit rich coming from Neil Custis.

 

[SoCross]

First half against Palace. Probably our best 45 minutes of the season so far.

Yes, that’s the game. From memory, Zirkzee was central to all our attacks, dropping deep, linking play up. Team never looked like even scoring once he was subbed off.

Crazy drop since then.

 

[Crimson King]

What a cnut. There really should be a ban on posting anything from that sack of smegma

 

[Eugenius]

What a cnut. There really should be a ban on posting anything from that sack of smegma

I thought it was quite well reported that the signings this summer were partly Ineos driven signings (Zirkzee and Ugarte) aside from de Ligt and Mazroui.

 

[SparcMac]

Wonder if the scouts and ETH saw this clip and thought, "perfect, exactly what we need, an even bigger clown infront of goal".

Same way you can also post the Serie A official goals show.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Yes, that’s the game. From memory, Zirkzee was central to all our attacks, dropping deep, linking play up. Team never looked like even scoring once he was subbed off.

Crazy drop since then.

It can happen. He’s a young player in a new team, in a new league. So if that team is misfiring he’s going to struggle more than most. In that first half vs Palace the whole team played well which gave him a platform to do his thing. Since then we’ve generally been pretty shite, which has made it all much more difficult for him. And I’m sure his confidence has taken a hit too, after being sky high following his debut goal.

Anyhoo, I find this thread a bit grim. Everyone tripping over each other to completely write off a young player who’s barely got his feet in the door. He might never make it here but it’s far too early to be certain about that. I’m happy to give him at least the rest of this season before making a definite opinion. Weird the way so few others are willing to do the same.

 

[Offside]

Looked pretty good in a couple of early games. Now looks like a competition winner. Not sure what happens to people when they put on a red shirt.

 

[TrustInJanuzaj]

he looks like he’d rather step in dogshit than break his stride.

 

[SoCross]

It can happen. He’s a young player in a new team, in a new league. So if that team is misfiring he’s going to struggle more than most. In that first half vs Palace the whole team played well which gave him a platform to do his thing. Since then we’ve generally been pretty shite, which has made it all much more difficult for him. And I’m sure his confidence has taken a hit too, after being sky high following his debut goal.

Anyhoo, I find this thread a bit grim. Everyone tripping over each other to completely write off a young player who’s barely got his feet in the door. He might never make it here but it’s far too early to be certain about that. I’m happy to give him at least the rest of this season before making a definite opinion. Weird the way so few others are willing to do the same.

Ah for sure mate. Far too early to write him off. Hope the fella uses the international break to hit the gym and take a breather. Fresh start again with the new head coach.

 

[Red Royal]

I rarely watch player highlights videos as with clever editing they can make someone like Jon Jo Shelvy seen like prime Zidane. However given what we've seen so far from Zirkzee I wanted to see whatever the scouts saw in him. Watching his Bologna days you see a confident young lad, who looks a bit trimmer than now, but even in those videos where he is scoring he invariably does it by a cleaver feint/shimmy and never through pace. He just won't get that time on the ball at United and he really needs to sort his head out and work out how to improve and fast.

 

[Ollie Derbyshire]

Wonder if the scouts and ETH saw this clip and thought, "perfect, exactly what we need, an even bigger clown infront of goal".

Sums him up perfectly, far to languid, there’s being a Berbatov style player who saunters around the pitch but produces, then there’s being a sloth who doesn’t produce anything.

 

[simplyared]

Ridiculous? In the sense that you think he's been way better than Rashford? Or you think he's more like some other type of forward? He's neither a target man nor a goal poacher. If his best position is inside forward then that is Rashy's position.

You've got me wrong there pal. Your post is an insult to Rashford!

 

[jamesjimmybyrondean]

With the inside forwards in Amorims system usually close to the striker, you’d hope that it can benefit Zirkzee who needs players close by to link up with. If it doesn’t, Ineos must not hesitate to sell him in the summer if there’s a chance

 

[Crimson King]

It can happen. He’s a young player in a new team, in a new league. So if that team is misfiring he’s going to struggle more than most. In that first half vs Palace the whole team played well which gave him a platform to do his thing. Since then we’ve generally been pretty shite, which has made it all much more difficult for him. And I’m sure his confidence has taken a hit too, after being sky high following his debut goal.

Anyhoo, I find this thread a bit grim. Everyone tripping over each other to completely write off a young player who’s barely got his feet in the door. He might never make it here but it’s far too early to be certain about that. I’m happy to give him at least the rest of this season before making a definite opinion. Weird the way so few others are willing to do the same.

The worst thing about threads like this is how much people want to be right about something negative.

Maybe Zirkzee will never be good enough, but I don't see why people need to be so smug about it. Digging up videos from years ago of chances he's missed...you can do that for any player, even Messi and Ronaldo.

Can't believe how even our own fanbase revel in turning our own players into memes. It's so disappointing.

 

[El Jefe]

The worst thing about threads like this is how much people want to be right about something negative.

Maybe Zirkzee will never be good enough, but I don't see why people need to be so smug about it. Digging up videos from years ago of chances he's missed...you can do that for any player, even Messi and Ronaldo.

Can't believe how even our own fanbase revel in turning our own players into memes. It's so disappointing.

People are rightfully calling out what they see on here now. For so long we would watch new signings come here and shit the bed and be told to give them time. There are some players who are so poor or such a bad fit that it needs to be called out early so we can save ourselves the time, money and effort in having them be part of our squad.

United fans more than any other set of fans, especially post Fergie should have the unique ability of seeing all the indicators of a flop because we’ve had so many of them in the last decade.

Antony and Dan James are examples of players that stood out as being far away from the required quality for our club. Memphis and Sancho looked like players with the wrong mentality and physical qualities to work with us and in the PL. Zirkzee gives off all the same vibes as the latter group.

Obviously everyone gets a second chance with Amorim but if we see more of the same he should be sold in the summer. For too long we’ve kept flops in the hope they would turn things around and they rarely do. Keeping Van de Beek only led to him getting worse for example. When a player is such a bad fit there is no need lying to ourselves.