United View: United close in on Zirkzee

Manchester United players and coaching staff returned to Carrington this week to begin pre-season training and while preparations are taking place on the pitch, the club has been busy with squad building.

This column will give you a run-down of United’s recent activities.

The Reds are close to finalising a deal for Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee after personal terms were agreed upon with the 23-year-old, who has a £34million release clause. Zirkzee played a vital role in Thiago Motta’s side last season, helping the Rossoblu qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 1964.

Zirkzee, formerly of Bayern Munich, has spent the last two seasons in Serie A, primarily playing as a centre-forward. So why are United trying to sign the Dutch international when they already have a young striker in Rasmus Hojlund?

It all comes down to player profiles as Hojlund is a player who likes to run in behind, acting as an advanced forward, whereas Zirkzee likes to drop deep to receive the ball, linking playing and carrying the ball. In theory, this combination could complement each other, with Zirzkee pulling defenders out of position while Hojlund exploits the exposed space.

This will add depth to United’s frontline and while Zirkzee may not be a 20-goal a-season striker, he may help those around him score more goals. And sees the club shift away from signing ageing forwards such as Edison Cavani and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Elsewhere, the club has had a second bid for Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite rejected. United’s improved offer of £45million plus £5m in add-ons is far away from Everton’s valuation, using Josko Gvardiol, Harry Maguire and Wesley Fofana as benchmarks for an expected fee.

Whether United will make another bid is unforeseen, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Reds walk away from the deal if Everton does not come down from their current valuation. United need to be more sensible with their finances and can ill-afford to overspend on a single player.

Branthwaite isn’t the only central defender being monitored by United as discussions are still ongoing for Bayern Munich’s Matthijs De Ligt. Despite not quite living up to his full potential since leaving Ajax, the club believes this is an example of an undervalued player that is only 24 years old.

Should United wish to continue spending they will have to offload some of their current squad and one of those is Mason Greenwood, who returned to Carrington this week to discuss his future with club officials – he did not take part in training.

Marseille has agreed to a supposed £26m deal for Greenwood with United, following his loan spell last season at Spanish club Getafe where he scored 10 goals. Greenwood has not played for United since January 2022.

Finally, Erik ten Hag is excited about the arrival of Jason Wilcox and Dan Ashworth, saying “We have a strong structure that will help us, that they are really supportive, that will help us in many ways, like in scouting and recruitment, like in the department s of medical and performance. They will be so supportive and that will raise the bar.”

United recently extended ten Hag’s contract until 2026 and will be joined by new coaches Ruud van Nistelrooy and former Go Ahead Eagles manager Rene Hake. Jelle ten Rouwelaar who spent two years at Vincent Kompany’s Burnley as a goalkeeping coach has also been recruited.

The Reds are next in action on Monday 15th July against Rosenborg in Norway before another friendly against Rangers at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.