From Everton trial to Serie A star - the rise of new Man Utd man Zirkzee

If Manchester United fans dream for an early effect from Joshua Zirkzee astatine Old Trafford, they only person to look to his first minutes successful a Bayern Munich garment 5 years ago.

At nan time, nan then-18-year-old guardant was utilized successful immoderate of Hansi Flick's first games arsenic Bayern head successful a play successful which nan Bavarians would spell connected and triumph nan Treble of Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League.

Despite not being a regular, Zirkzee played a cardinal domiciled successful their home convention success.

In December 2019, Bayern sat 5th successful nan array and looked to beryllium slipping further disconnected nan gait arsenic they were being held 1-1 astatine Freiburg heading into nan 90th minute.

Zirkzee was sent on, and it only took 104 seconds for nan Dutchman to make a immense effect connected his Bundesliga bow, slotting location a walk from Serge Gnabry, who would besides people successful wounded clip to seal Bayern's 3-1 victory.

Only a fewer days later Zirkzee came disconnected nan chair and to their rescue again, astatine location to Wolfsburg. This clip it took him 149 seconds to find nan breakthrough successful nan 85th minute, earlier Gnabry added different successful a 2-0 win.

Zirkzee's abrupt emergence connected nan world shape was nan reward for a travel which started successful 2007 backmost astatine section nine VV Hekelingen successful Spijkenisse, earlier a stint astatine Spartaan '20 sewage him successful astatine nan books of master broadside ADO den Haag.

After 3 years he moved to nan academy of Feyenoord, pinch nan youngster processing into a versatile guardant successful his formative years, pinch a very bully oculus for a goal.

Zirkzee impressed arsenic he played pinch some nan under-16s and under-17s successful nan aforesaid play astatine Feyenoord, winning nan convention pinch nan first and nan cup pinch nan second and scoring galore goals successful nan process.

While respective under-17s players past received a statement offer, Zirkzee had to hold earlier getting a woody and that is nan infinitesimal he became receptive to subordinate different clubs arsenic well, looking for a spot much security.

Rivals Ajax and PSV Eindhoven were nary options for him, though, arsenic he felt he could not do that to Feyenoord.

In nan summertime of 2017, a move overseas looked much apt and 2 clubs were earnestly willing - 1 a astonishing campaigner from nan Premier League.

The conflict for nan youngster was betwixt Bayern Munich and Everton, wherever Zirkzee played 2 games successful an world younker tourney successful nan Czech Republic.

"Everton was a superior action for me, because Ronald Koeman was nan head of nan first squad and I didn't person galore strikers successful beforehand of maine astatine that time," he told maine successful an question and reply successful 2019.

"Romelu Lukaku near for Manchester United that summertime and Everton gave maine a emotion location was a bully chance to travel done there. When I was location they offered maine a statement straightaway."

Yet Zirkzee waited until he sewage an connection from Bayern.

It took a spot of time, but yet happened aft an inventive proposal from nan guardant himself.

"Initially they had looked astatine 2 games of maine astatine Feyenoord which weren't my champion games, truthful Bayern wasn't judge yet. Then I conscionable said to them, 'let maine train 3 times pinch you and measure whether I'm bully capable then'."

The Bavarian broadside agreed to his proposal, aft which nan youngster convinced Bayern to connection him a deal.

"Around that clip young Dutch players usually went to England," he recalled. "I was really 1 of nan first who went to Germany. I was like, this is thing different, I would for illustration to spell for that challenge."

He started successful their under-17s side, but soon moved to nan under-19s, and successful his 2nd play was already portion of nan 2nd team.

On a fewer occasions he was invited to train pinch nan first squad and joined them astatine training camps successful nan United States and Qatar. Suddenly, he shared a dressing room pinch Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Muller and Manuel Neuer.

Patience was required, though, arsenic a first-team debut was not instantly forthcoming.

Flick yet brought him into nan matchday squad for nan Champions League crippled against Tottenham Hotspur, successful which he made his charismatic debut, earlier nan captious publication successful those convention games against Freiburg and Wolfsburg.

Zirkzee's goals were crucial, meaning Bayern trailed leaders RB Leipzig by 4 points alternatively of eight, earlier going connected to adjacent nan spread and yet go champions.

Loan moves to Parma and Anderlecht to summation much first-team acquisition followed, pinch nan Belgian nine a peculiar hit.

Zirkzee netted 15 convention goals and registered 8 assists successful a squad coached by existent Bayern coach Vincent Kompany.

In those years he besides represented nan Netherlands Under-21 side, pinch his coach Erwin van de Looi explaining successful Voetbal International 2 years agone really Zirkzee distinguished himself arsenic a striker.

"What makes Joshua typical successful my sentiment is that he combines his champion qualities - technique, strength, powerfulness and his expertise to person nan shot - pinch efficiency," he said.

The play aft he was sold to Bologna and again had to beryllium patient, being utilized mostly arsenic a substitute successful his first run pinch nan Serie A outfit.

Come nan 2nd year, Zirkzee made speedy strides and pinch 11 goals and 5 assists he played an important portion successful securing Champions League shot for nan outfit from Emilia-Romagna.

His displays yet gave him a spot successful Koeman's Netherlands squad astatine Euro 2024, aft Teun Koopmeiners had to retreat done injury.

The 23-year-old came connected successful nan quarter-final triumph against Turkey, winning his first world cap.

Just aft reaching nan semi-final pinch his country, it emerged his move to Old Trafford was adjacent to completion.

Zirkzee will adhd a wide scope of skills to nan Manchester United dressing room, pinch his versatility a very valuable plus for Erik 10 Hag.

In nan past fewer years, he has developed much extent to his game, making heavy runs, added to his qualities of receiving and holding balls and skilful dribbling.

His method and productivity guidelines retired and besides his expertise to put team-mates successful scoring positions. Fellow striker Rasmus Hojlund will astir apt beryllium very happy pinch nan presence of nan Dutchman.

And if Zirkzee tin person nan aforesaid benignant of instant effect that he had successful nan Bundesliga 5 years ago, United fans will nary uncertainty beryllium very happy too.