Manchester United might have found their new Zlatan Ibrahimovic in Joshua Zirkzee with the latter setting his sights on becoming like the Sweden legend.
The summer signing has admitted life at Old Trafford has been difficult since completing the move from Bologna. He did, however, score a debut winner in United’s Premier League opener against Fulham after coming off the bench.
He was, though, unable to capitalise on the opportunities he had in the recent 3-0 defeat to Liverpool before the international break. He described missing United’s two best chances as ‘shameful.’
Zirkzee later made his full international debut for Holland, where he scored the opener in his nation’s 5-2 win over Bosnia. The 23-year-old named-checked the Swedish legend Ibrahimovic as someone he looks up to and tries to emulate.
The popular former United forward, who retired last summer, spent two seasons at Old Trafford between 2016 and 2018. Despite a short stint for the club, he managed to win over the United fans with his performances.
He would make 53 appearances for the club scoring a respectable 29 goals before moving on to LA Galaxy and eventually AC Milan pre-retirement. After hanging up his boots last summer, Ibrahimovic returned to Milan as a senior advisor and has also undertaken an ambassadorial role for the club.
Zirkzee said: “I would love it if, in a few years’ time, people said that my game looks a bit like Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The start, with the winning goal against Fulham, was nice. Then we lost twice – and you know that at a big club like Manchester United the attention then comes full on.
“The defeat against Liverpool was shameful. But when I see the team training, I do think we are on the right track. At Bayern Munich I was lucky, it came naturally. You also see your team-mates really gear their whole lives around football.
“You have to learn that. Rest, nutrition, working with your body. That’s what it takes to make it. And then comes Manchester United. If United come in for you then you go. Now it’s my dream to be the No.1 striker for club and country. You train, you do your best and then you find out whether you can keep up.”
