Joshua Zirkzee could play role in five Man Utd transfers after acting as secret agent

Manchester United star Joshua Zirkzee asked Jamal Musiala to join the Red Devils during the summer, the Bayern Munich attacker has revealed. The duo were team-mates at Bayern and they holidayed together in the US.

While Zirkzee’s attempts to sign Musiala ultimately failed, United may lean on their recent arrival to convince several other targets to join. Express Sport takes a look at some of the 23-year-old’s former team-mates who would improve Erik ten Hag’s team.

Alphonso Davies

United have been linked with a move for Alphonso Davies this week. The speedy Canadian star’s contract with Bayern Munich is due to expire at the end of the season, prompting interest from the Premier League and La Liga.

Real Madrid are widely reported to lead the race to sign the 23-year-old left-back, but Zirkzee can intervene to convince his former Bayern team-mate to join United. The arrival of Davies would solve Ten Hag’s left-back problems.

Xavi Simons

United reportedly came close to signing Xavi Simons before he returned to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2023. The attacking midfielder excelled on loan at RB Leipzig last season and has rejoined the Bundesliga club in a temporary switch again this term.

Simons could be on the move again next summer. United may use his Dutch colleague Zirkzee to get to the front of the queue for a player who could be Bruno Fernandes’s long-term replacement.

Jeremie Frimpong

United somewhat improved at right-back in the summer with the addition of Noussair Mazraoui. But they could go one better by signing Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong.

The attacking wing-back, who was once of Manchester City, shone in the Bundesliga last season and has forced his way into the Dutch national team. Frimpong, 23, could be convinced to sign United by Zirkzee.

Riccardo Orsolini

While most of Bologna’s key players – and their head coach Thiago Motta – were snapped up following their remarkable Champions League qualification last season, Riccardo Orsolini stayed. He scored 10 Serie A goals in 2023-24 and has started the new campaign with one strike in three appearances.

United have struggled to strengthen their right-wing position, and Orsolini being left-footed makes him perfect for Ten Hag’s system. The Italian turns 28 in January but could be a cheap, short-term option while United search for a long-term solution in that area of the pitch.

Angelo Stiller

Zirkzee and holding midfielder Angelo Stiller directly combined to score 11 goals in 45 appearances with Bayern Munich’s second team, Bayern II. It is by far the United forward’s most fruitful partnership.

Since leaving Bavaria in 2021, Stiller has enjoyed a successful career, first with Hoffenheim and now Stuttgart. The 23-year-old helped the latter finish second in the Bundesliga last season, providing six assists. Although United signed Manuel Ugarte to play in defensive midfield, Stiller would also be a good addition and he could get the best out of Zirkzee.