‘That’s a red flag’ – ex-Manchester United striker launches bizarre jab at Joshua Zirkzee

Joshua Zirkzee is yet to kick a ball for Manchester United following his move from Bologna, but his move has already been questioned by a former Reds striker.

The Netherlands international put pen to paper on a five-year deal with United in a £36.5million move, becoming Erik ten Hag’s first signing of the summer. The striker rose to prominence after a successful season in Serie A in which he scored 11 league goals.

That form was not enough to earn him a place in Ronald Koeman’s initial 26-man Netherlands squad for Euro 2024, but after injuries, Zirkzee was eventually called up for the tournament. However, he had to settle for a place among the substitutes, with only a few passing appearances from the bench.

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Zirkzee was just behind former United loanee Wout Weghorst in the pecking order and this has led some pundits to question whether he has the credentials to succeed in the Premier League. The main critic is former frontman Dwight Yorke, who claims Zirkzee’s transfer raises a “red flag”.

Yorke expressed his unhappiness that United were targeting Zirkzee before he signed, saying the links to the player were “confused”. Now he has doubled down on his criticism, even saying United’s other summer signing Leny Yoro could struggle in the Premier League.

“Manchester United bring in Leny Yoro and ask an 18-year-old to come in at such a difficult time and ask him to help raise your own level,” Yorke said. “The Premier League is the hardest place to ply your trade for the first time.

“Then you have Joshua Zirkzee, who looks to be having a decent season with Bologna and could make an impact, but you have to wonder why he’s not starting for Holland.

“That’s a red flag for me when you go into United for a fee like that. In recent years, the club has brought in midfield players rather than the cream of the crop players they should be getting.

“United should sign the best players from Holland and the best players from whatever national team they play for. United are no longer in a position to do that and it worries me.

“I’m not saying the kid isn’t a good player. I’m not saying he certainly can’t go on to light up the Premier League, but why isn’t he playing for the Dutch first team?

“He’s great for Bologna but not good for the Dutch national team? Does that mean he can’t be so great for United? But we can only judge that at the end of the season.”

Zirkzee is yet to join up with United after being handed extensions after the Euros.