Erik ten Hag has already explained his stance on Joshua Zirkzee-Ronaldinho comparisons

Joshua Zirkzee will soon be announced as Manchester United’s first signing under INEOS leadership after completing his medical.

The 23-year-old forward is a highly exciting talent and has received some flattering comparisons in his short career so far.

Perhaps the most known one is being compared to Barcelona legend Ronaldinho. Zirkzee’s former Bologna manager, Thiago Motta, played with the Brazilian icon at Camp Nou.

“Seeing him day to day, he reminds me of the Ronaldinho I played with at Barcelona,” Motta said.

“But I cannot compare him to anyone. He is Joshua, he is special, he enjoys his football and above all, works very hard in training.”

Zirkzee will be a key player for United going forward but manager Erik ten Hag has already explained that he does not like such comparisons between players.

When Kobbie Mainoo was being compared to Clarence Seedorf last season, the Dutch manager explained why he is against these types of conversations.

“I think never ever compare players with another player,” he stressed. “Never. Because Kobbie Mainoo, but also other players, they build their own identity.

“Don’t compare with anyone. His skillset, that is so typical. And it’s so Kobbie Mainoo, it’s nothing to do with other players.

“Of course, he can learn from other players, especially from great players as Clarence Seedorf was. But Kobbie Mainoo is Kobbie Mainoo. He has big potential and I’m quite sure he will have a big career.”

Zirkzee’s game has room for improvement, and once he officially joins the club, Ten Hag will think that he can become the best version of Joshua Zirkzee rather than comparing him to any other player.

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