The Premier League was not a goal in itself for Joshua Zirkzee. The Dutch striker explains to Viaplay why he still decided to make the move to Manchester United this summer and talks about his collaboration with Ruud van Nistelrooij.
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"To be honest, not necessarily," Zirkzee responded to Viaplay's question about whether playing in the Premier League had always been one of his ambitions.
"I've always watched it, and it's an incredible league, but I never really said as a kid, 'I have to play in the Premier League.' But when a club as big as Manchester United comes calling, that’s something you can’t turn down. The attraction was more about the club and what it represents, not so much the league itself, if I'm being honest."
Zirkzee, who joined Manchester United over the summer, has quickly settled into life in the UK, though he admitted that there are some adjustments. "I'm really enjoying myself here in Manchester. It's been great. Of course, compared to Bologna, it's a bit greyer, and the weather is a bit more unpredictable with the rain. And I’m still getting used to the food. I can’t quite get into the English breakfast yet. Some of my teammates were surprised when I opted for a simple chicken sandwich in the morning instead of the traditional breakfast spread."
This past weekend, Zirkzee's emotions were on full display when his close friend Matthijs de Ligt scored Manchester United's opening goal in a 1-0 win over Southampton. "Matthijs is like my brother, both here and in the Dutch national team," Zirkzee said, smiling. "When he scored, I was so happy for him. He jumped up in celebration, and I was right there. I nearly got his boot in my face! But that joy was genuine. He's been through a tough time recently, especially with everything that happened during his spell with the national team. But I don't think any of that affected him he's mentally strong."
Beyond the camaraderie with his teammates, Zirkzee has been particularly impressed with the mentorship he's receiving from assistant coach Ruud van Nistelrooij, a Dutch football legend himself. "Honestly, the level of detail in his coaching is incredible," Zirkzee said. "It's something I don't want to reveal too much about, but it's been amazing working with him. From watching footage to breaking down plays, the way he approaches the game is just top-class. Every session, I feel like I'm learning something new and refining my game in ways I hadn’t thought possible."
Looking ahead, Zirkzee and Manchester United are preparing for a busy schedule. Next week, they face FC Twente in the Europa League, but before that, they will take on Crystal Palace in the Premier League, a fixture that is key for Erik ten Hag's team as they aim to maintain momentum in the domestic competition.
For Zirkzee, it’s been a whirlwind few months, but one thing is clear: he’s embracing the challenge and soaking in the experience at one of the world's biggest football clubs.
Updated: 12:37, 20 Sep 2024
