Man Utd risk first Joshua Zirkzee row as £35m signing's debut 'delayed by weeks'

Manchester United may risk an early row involving incoming striker Joshua Zirkzee over the No. 9 shirt, and it wouldn’t be the first time. Zirkzee is set to become the first signing of the INEOS era after United agreed a £35million deal with Bologna, reportedly undergoing a medical on Friday morning.

The Red Devils will pay slightly higher than his £34m release clause across three years to allow for further flexibility in a limited transfer window.

Zirkzee arrives as welcome competition and support for Rasmus Hojlund, who went without in his first season due to Anthony Martial’s injury issues.

Martial made way for the 23-year-old by leaving the club on a free transfer at the start of July, leaving behind his No. 9 shirt.

But while Zirkzee is the obvious candidate to inherit it, Hojlund may have a say in the matter, having established himself as United’s first-choice striker last term.

He picked up the No. 11 shirt after completing a dream £72m switch from Atalanta and scored 16 goals in all competitions throughout 2023/24.

Hojlund wears the No. 9 shirt for Denmark, though, and may have hoped to make it his own at Old Trafford after Martial’s inevitable exit.

United could face resistance if they plan to hand the number to Zirkzee, who donned it as he registered 12 goals and seven assists for Bologna to help secure Champions League football last season.

A similar situation unfolded back in 2016 when Jose Mourinho lured Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Old Trafford on a free transfer.

Martial was United’s No.9 but surrendered the shirt to Ibrahimovic and later admitted he was “hurt” by the decision.

The M16 giants will be keen to avoid a repeat between Zirkzee and Hojlund, and the latter could be keen to retain the No. 11, just as iconic a shirt at Old Trafford.

United could announce Zirkzee’s arrival as early as this evening after he completed medical tests, signed his five-year contract and performed media duties.

However, according to the Manchester Evening News, he is set to miss most of pre-season for an unspecified reason.

It’s claimed that Zirkzee won’t be available for United’s first four pre-season friendlies, and it’s unknown whether he will travel to South Carolina to join his new team-mates and face Liverpool on August 4.

The Netherlands international was a late call-up to Ronald Koeman’s Euro 2024 squad but only made two brief cameo appearances off the bench.