Manchester United issue double injury boost as Joshua Zirkzee verdict given

Manchester United have issued a double injury boost as a former striker gives his positive verdict on Joshua Zirkzee’s signing from Bologna.

Manchester United are looking to pull themselves out of a horrible injury crisis that plagued a vast majority of their 2023/24 season. Key men such as Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martínez, and Kobbie Mainoo spent large spells on the sidelines as Erik ten Hag‘s men struggled to eighth in the Premier League table.

However, pre-season has seen a number of faces return, with one of those being former club captain and centre-back Harry Maguire.

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“Harry Maguire is inching closer to a return from injury, after stepping up his rehabilitation programme at Carrington,” a club statement read.

“The defender did not travel with the squad to Monday’s first pre-season friendly against Rosenborg, but is training individually on the grass at our training ground as part of his own recovery plan.”

The club then further confirmed that Tyrell Malacia is back training on his own individual fitness programme, insinuating that he has passed his rehabilitation and is now looking to get back to full fitness.

“Our cameras captured the 31-year-old (Maguire) in action out on the grass earlier this week, alongside Tyrell Malacia, who is also undergoing his own fitness programme.

Meanwhile, former United striker Louis Saha has been speaking about the club’s new signing, Joshua Zirkzee.

Zirkzee signed for United from Bologna for a fee of around £36 million, with United paying slightly more than his release clause. Saha approves of the transfer due to Zirkzee’s range of abilities.

“He’s got a great workrate and has the ability to create his own chances,” Saha told Betfred. “He’s a tall guy that’s very capable of playing with the ball at his feet. There are coaches at the club that can help him with his movement and to become more clinical with his finishing. 

“Joshua’s a player with a lot of potential and he can definitely provide a lot more unpredictability because he has a lot of flair and we’ve not seen that often from Rasmus Højlund. With what Joshua provides, they can definitely play with two up front because both of them are very strong players and now there’s a different type of formula for the manager to explore.

“He also brings competition because Anthony Martial has left the club and with his age, he will be eager to prove that he can be a tremendous striker in the Premier League. It’s a good reason for us to be excited.”

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