Jamal Musiala comments on joining Man Utd speak volumes after Joshua Zirkzee chat

Jamal Musiala has revealed new Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee tried to tempt the German midfielder into joining the Premier League side this summer.

Zirkzee was brought in during United’s summer refresh, with close to £200million spent on bolstering Erik ten Hag’s side.

Alongside the Dutch striker, United penned deals for Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui – the final two joining as part of a double switch from Bayern Munich.

But had things worked out differently, the Red Devils might’ve bagged a third Bayern ace this summer, with Zirkzee having tried to tempt Musiala to Old Trafford as well.

The pair enjoyed a summer holiday together during the off-season, with Musiala claiming his former team-mate was doing his best to persuade the German international to follow him to United.

Speaking to German outlet Welt am Sonntag, Zirkzee said: “You always joke around with friends and dream of playing together in a team one day. The jokes go both ways: I also told Josh that he should come back to Bayern. But you shouldn’t take that too seriously.”

While Musiala swapping Bundesliga giants Bayern for a side that finished eighth in the Premier League last season might sound farfetched on paper, there could be some merit behind the move, given the midfielder’s contract is due to expire in less than two years.

It means, unless Musiala pens a contract extension in the coming months, Bayern might be put under pressure to sell the former Chelsea academy product, or risk losing him on a free transfer.

On the prospect of leaving Bayern in the near future, Musiala added: “I am very happy at FC Bayern and fully focused on our goals with the club and the national team. I don’t think too much about where I will be playing in five years. Things can always change quickly in the world of football.”

If United want to be in the mix for players of Musiala’s calibre, they’ll almost certainly have to improve their on-pitch results.

The three-time European champions have managed just one win so far this season, with Ten Hag’s side having lost back-to-back games in the Premier League.

Their latest defeat coming against rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford, where Arne Slot – who has only been in the job a matter of months – served up a tactical masterclass against Ten Hag’s sorry United side.

Ten Hag is already said to be under pressure to deliver, with reports suggesting INEOS are keen to see improvements following the international break, otherwise they could be forced into pulling the plug on the ex-Ajax chief’s tenure.