Manchester United fans have hardly seen their summer signings so far this pre-season.
Almost a month after signing, Joshua Zirkzee has still yet to play in any of the club’s five friendlies, instead building up his fitness at Carrington this week rather than flying out to the United States for the tail end of their tour. The Netherlands only started work on Monday, two-and-a-half weeks after his time at the European Championship ended at the hands of England.
Supporters have seen Leny Yoro in action, but it was for all of 80 minutes across two games before the teenager fractured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot. While the defender will not play again until October, the wait will not be as long to see Zirkzee.
The forward is not yet in full team training, but Erik ten Hag has mentioned him as an option for when Hojlund is unavailable. “Joshua Zirkzee, he is coming in, he has started training,” the United manager said after the pre-season friendly against Liverpool, “but also consider that he is not so long in training, so that will take time, and he has to adapt to English football and our way of playing as well.
Next weekend’s Community Shield could come too soon, but Ten Hag has suggested that those not on tour should be ready for the start of the season. Ahead of his debut, Zirkzee has promised to excite United fans – in the same way Cristiano Ronaldo did.
