🎯 Joshua Zirkzee Has Been Putting in the Work Ahead of the New Season 😮‍💨🔥🔥

🎯 Joshua Zirkzee Has Been Putting in the Work Ahead of the New Season 😮‍💨🔥🔥

 

 

Joshua Zirkzee’s journey since joining Manchester United in summer 2024 has been one of fluctuating fortunes—but as the 2025‑26 pre‑season intensifies, all signs point to a player determined to redefine his trajectory. With hard work, tactical evolution, and a fresh sense of belief, Zirkzee is ready to stake his claim—and do it on his own terms.

 

 

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1. From Bologna Breakout to Old Trafford Struggles

 

After a standout season at Bologna—11 goals, memorable creative link‑up, and high pressing numbers—Zirkzee secured a £36.5 million move to Manchester United in July 2024 . He quickly scored on his league debut against Fulham and followed that with a brace in a win over Everton . However, his campaign soon ran into turbulence. In December, he was substituted early in a home game against Newcastle and jeered by fans—a low point that came amid only four Premier League goals by mid‑season .

 

Despite the negativity, his Mourinho‑level professionalism remained intact. Post‑substitution, fans began singing his name during other appearances—while he himself doubled down at training, reinvigorating his determination to succeed at United .

 

 

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2. Injury Setback—and Comeback

 

Just as momentum seemed building under manager Rúben Amorim, Zirkzee suffered a hamstring injury in April 2025 that ruled him out for the rest of the Europa League campaign—effectively ending his season on the pitch .

 

Then came a surprise: in May 2025, Zirkzee returned to team training ahead of the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur, defying earlier expectations and proving his fitness just in time for a big moment .

 

 

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3. Springboard into Pre‑Season Preparation

 

With the new season looming, Zirkzee has committed himself to making the most of this pre‑season. Reports from July 2025 highlighted his standout performance at training, including an aerial back‑heel finish that went viral and drew public praise from Amorim, who labeled him “dangerous” in his refreshed role .

 

Amorim and the coaching staff are watching keenly: Zirkzee is being positioned not just as a traditional No. 9, but as a hybrid false nine—hold-up play, creative passing, intuitive movement—all traits that map out into Amorim’s tactical vision .

 

 

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4. Tactical Evolution & New Front Three

 

The arrival of Matheus Cunha (£62.5 million) and pursuit of Bryan Mbeumo alongside Zirkzee suggests United intend to build a dynamic front three—Zirkzee holding up play centrally, Cunha and Mbeumo pulling wide and cutting inside. Media analysis suggests Amorim expects Zirkzee to flourish in this fluid setup, especially if he adapts willingness to combine, pass and press intelligently .

 

Zirkzee himself described his style as “9.5”—not a pure nine, not a ten, but a player who drops deep, facilitates, applies technique and presses high intelligently .

 

 

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5. Manager & Fan Support

 

Despite his rocky start, United manager Rúben Amorim has publicly voiced confidence in Zirkzee’s potential. Ahead of a Newcastle fixture in April, Amorim called him “doing great work,” praising both his professionalism and response to criticism, emphasizing that fan support and player response operate “50‑50” in this context .

 

Internally, United sources confirm Amorim is leaning toward retaining Zirkzee while considering offloading Rasmus Højlund—a senior centre‑forward who underwhelmed relative to his price tag. That decision, according to talkSPORT, highlights Amorim’s belief that Zirkzee offers valuable tactical versatility despite lower goal output .

 

 

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6. Character, Resilience & Mindset

 

Zirkzee’s response to adversity has been audited by fans and staff alike. Multiple fan accounts praised his mental strength: when booed, he returned to training focused, heads down, ready to work harder rather than retreat into negativity . A Reddit headline captured it succinctly: “Hard times create strong people”—underscoring that the Dutch forward used criticism as fuel, not determent .

 

 

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7. Setup for 2025–26: What We’re Watching

 

As United prepare to face Leeds on July 19 in their first pre‑season friendly, key watchpoints include:

 

Zirkzee’s fitness and sharpness after his hamstring recovery.

 

Link‑up play with Cunha and Mbeumo—that anticipated front three will live or die in pre‑season.

 

Positional adaptability: can he convincingly operate as a false nine—dropping into midfield, pressing in the final third, creating space?

 

Goal threat improvement: last season was seven goals in 49 games, and progress here will build trust within the squad .

 

 

 

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8. Why This Matters

 

▶ Amorim’s system depends on fluidity, technical intelligence, rotation—and Zirkzee fits that framework more than Højlund’s more direct style. With no clear top target in the transfer market, United may rely on him more than initially anticipated .

▶ Player development: Zirkzee’s mental rebound, stylistic evolution, and capability to perform under pressure signal a growth trajectory United hope to harness.

▶ Fan narrative shift: from being booed to being cheered, Zirkzee has reversed his relationship with the supporters, which could only deepen if his pre‑season performances solidify new trust.

 

 

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9. In Summary

 

Transfer background: Arrived from Bologna in July 2024 for £36.5 million, scoring debut goal and brace vs Everton before turbulence struck .

 

Adversity faced: booed by fans after being substituted early against Newcastle; injuries curtailed season run in April 2025 .

 

Comeback & determination: returned to train before Europa final; praised for viral training finishes. Fans and staff note his growing resilience and improved application at training .

 

Tactical fit & new dynamic: expected to anchor a new front three with Cunha and Mbeumo; praised for tactical versatility and creative passing in Amorim’s evolving United setup .

 

 

 

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Final Thoughts

 

With pre‑season underway, Joshua Zirkzee is not just putting in the work—he’s doing it with purpose. Beyond recovery from injury, he’s embracing a tactical reinvention: less pure No. 9, more technical fulcrum; less isolation, more pressing and rotation. Under Talent‑developing coach Rúben Amorim, he’s being positioned as part of a potential attacking trident.

 

If Zirkzee can translate his back‑heel brilliance in training into consistent performances on the pitch, he could emerge as one of the season’s formal dark horses. And in doing so, transform his narrative—from summer signing under pressure, to integral part of United’s evolving attacking identity.