Man Utd given second Joshua Zirkzee benefit they may not have realised

Joshua Zirkzee’s move to Manchester United promises to have a hidden boosting effect on Erik ten Hag’s squad following his move from Bologna. Club co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos marked their first summer in charge by splashing £36.5million on the Dutchman, fresh from his Euro 2024 stint with the Netherlands.

And former United defender Wes Brown has been vocal about the potential influence Zirkzee can have on Erik ten Hag’s squad, particularly in getting Rasmus Hojlund back to his best. Despite Hojlund’s 16 goals in 43 appearances for United during his debut season, the Manchester Evening News reported Brown believes there’s room for improvement – and Zirkzee could be the catalyst.

Speaking on Reach’s Euro Thrash podcast – available on YouTube, Apple, and Spotify – Brown said: “I am very happy with [the transfer], he’s definitely a player that we need and he’s a young lad. I think he’s going to be good, and it is going to be interesting.

“Hojlund hasn’t scored enough goals, it’s as simple as that. Everything else in his game is good. It is good that there is now a small battle between them two to see who is going to be playing. It is a very good option and an option that we needed. Last season, if we needed an option we had to go into the youth team.”

The 21-year-old Hojlund displayed moments of brilliance in Manchester last season but has yet to fully justify the hefty £72m fee United paid Atalanta for his services. Meanwhile, Ratcliffe and his team are not resting on their laurels as they move to bolster other areas of the squad.

United are on the brink of sealing a deal for Lille defender Leny Yoro after the 18-year-old successfully completed his medical with the club on Wednesday. The young Ligue 1 sensation is expected to cost the club around £52m, but Brown believes another defensive addition is necessary.

“I still think we need a defender, a centre-back, but I’m not exactly sure about anyone from the Euros,” he added. “We might be in for two, but I just hope that gets done sooner rather than later.”

Asked if United should sign a No6 in midfielder, Brown replied: “Perhaps. I think with the players we still have in midfield, we’ve got enough. But that all depends on what the manager wants to do. I’m pretty sure if he could offload a couple, he would.”

Following the departure of veteran Raphael Varane, there’s ongoing speculation that Casemiro – the club’s top earner on £350,000 a week – could be next. However, the Red Devils may find it challenging to secure a buyer for the 32-year-old, who still has two years (with an option for a third) left on his contract.