Erik ten Hag hoping for more of the same from Joshua Zirkzee after dazzling Man United debut
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Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee scored the lone goal in his Premier League debut against Fulham.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is delighted with how Joshua Zirkzee has kicked off his English Premier League career, and hopes for more of the same from his new striker when they travel to Brighton & Hove Albion on Aug 24.
Zirkzee, signed from Bologna in July, came off the bench to score
“Very pleasing that a player who is a striker scores his first goal in his first game,” ten Hag said on Aug 22. “That will give him confidence, we’re very pleased that it’s happened.
“I give the comparison last year with Rasmus Hojlund (on his Old Trafford debut) that when he scored against Brighton and the VAR looked, five minutes later they came to the conclusion the ball had crossed the line (for a goal kick) and he then had to wait three months for his first Premier League goal.
“So it helps absolutely (Zirkzee) scoring his first goal (on his debut), it gives him confidence and gives us confidence as a team. Very good progress.”
Hojlund, who scored 10 league goals last season, remains sidelined this week with a hamstring injury, along with Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Victor Lindelof, who suffered a problem recently.
“(Lindelof) has an issue on his toe. Hopefully, he can return quickly but (he’s) not available for the weekend,” ten Hag added.
The United boss was non-committal on Jadon Sancho, who returned to the club in July after a very public spat with ten Hag in 2023 which led to him finishing the season on loan with Borussia Dortmund.
The forward did not feature in the squad against Fulham.
“We will see. You need them all (the players) throughout the season because it is survival of the fittest,” ten Hag said.
“We have to manage it, the attitude of the players is very important, sometimes they will be disappointed they are not in the starting XI but they have to deal with it, because you win as a squad.
“The prizes are decided next May and until then we need all the players in the squad and highly motivated, that is not an expectation, that is a demand on the squad. The team is always more important than any individual.”
The Dutchman also gave nothing away when asked about the club’s transfer business.
The Red Devils, who have signed Zirkzee and defenders Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, are linked to Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte.
The negotiations are reportedly in the latter stages, with the deal a loan plus an obligation to buy.
“Just be patient, we are working very hard and we will always try to make the best squad possible,” ten Hag added.
“So we have a couple of days (left) and the approach will always be improvement. As long as we have the opportunity, we will look for it and, in this moment, I cannot tell any news. When we have news, we will bring it.”
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, meanwhile, began his tenure in style with a convincing 3-0 win at Everton last weekend that took his side to the top of the table.
But the 31-year-old, the youngest manager in Premier League history, refused to get carried away as he prepared for his first home game in charge of the Seagulls.
“Of course we are grateful for the start,” said the German.
“But I’m very fast in focusing on the next game. I’m looking forward to meeting our fans and it’s our responsibility to bring an intensity, an energy on the pitch that transports to the supporters.
“We try to make them a present with a win but we know we have a tough opponent. Manchester have great players, they have a great coach and it will be a big, big challenge for us.” REUTERS, AFP
