Joshua Zirkzee’s Man United role revealed, how he’ll play with Rasmus Højlund

Joshua Zirkzee will become Manchester United’s first signing of the summer after an agreement was reached with Bologna.

The Netherlands international is set to become United’s first signing of the INEOS era, as confirmed by Fabrizio Romano, who announced that an agreement had been reached.

United had shown strong interest in Zirkzee in recent weeks, and the deal is now finalised following his exit from Euro 2024 on Wednesday evening.

Last season, Zirkzee netted 12 goals and provided seven assists for Bologna, playing a crucial role in securing the club’s first Champions League qualification since the 1960s.

A report from Manchester World states that United made the addition of another forward a priority in the summer transfer window following Anthony Martial’s departure as a free agent.

Rasmus Højlund joined from Atalanta last summer and scored 16 goals during his debut campaign, and many are wondering how the two strikers will work together.

The aforementioned report explained that Zirkzee will be providing backup to Højlund, suggesting that the Dane will remain the number one choice up front.

However, it was also interestingly added that Zirkzee is also viewed as a versatile player who can play across the front line.

This could mean that he drops behind the striker or operates from one of the flanks. The Dutchman has previously explained that he does not view himself as an out-and-out number nine.

“I’m not a pure centre forward. I said a year ago that I liked playing with an attacking partner,” he explained when speaking to Corriere della Sera earlier this year.

“But Motta transformed me into a 9 and a half. I’m not an Arnautovic type, I like to come forward after playing the ball and help the team. And score goals.”

Zirkzee will complete his medical at Carrington on Friday before an official announcement. He will likely meet up with the squad in the United States after he goes on holiday.

Make sure to follow UtdDistrict on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to never miss out on any of our Manchester United content. Our podcast, What the Devil?, is released every Thursday at 6 pm (BST) on the United View YouTube channel.