Joshua Zirkzee earned a call-up to the Netherlands' Euro 2024 squad after a breakout season with Bologna but has found things much tougher since joining Manchester United.
It has been a difficult season for Zirkzee, who has scored just three times in 28 Premier League appearances since joining Manchester United. The 23-year-old Dutch striker arrived from Bologna in the summer of 2024 for £36.5m, heralded as a versatile forward capable of easing United’s goalscoring woes.
However, his transition to Old Trafford has been anything but smooth, with fans and pundits alike questioning his fit in Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system, where he’s often been deployed as a lone striker or in a deeper role.
Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has dealt Joshua Zirkzee a fresh blow by claiming the frontman isn’t good enough to turn out for his national side. Zirkzee was part of the Oranje squad which reached the semi-finals at Euro 2024, having earned a call-up off the back of his form for Bologna, where he notched 11 goals and five assists in Serie A last season.
His flair and physicality earned rave reviews, but Koeman’s latest verdict casts doubt on his international future. “At the moment, he’s not showing the level we need,” Koeman reportedly told Dutch media ahead of upcoming Nations League fixtures. “He’s struggling at United, and that impacts his standing with us.”
Zirkzee’s woes at United have been stark. Initially seen as a competitor to Rasmus Hojlund, he’s failed to replicate his Bologna form, often appearing isolated up top or ineffective when dropping deep.
His three Premier League goals—a fraction of his previous output—have come amid a team-wide slump, with United languishing in 15th place after a 1-1 draw with Arsenal on March 9, 2025.
Amorim has shifted Zirkzee into a No. 10 role recently, yielding a goal against Real Sociedad, but it’s not enough to silence critics. Casemiro praised his teammate’s quality, saying, “He’s a top player when he comes from deep,” yet Koeman’s snub suggests a broader lack of confidence.
For United fans, this is another setback in a season of frustration. With transfer rumors swirling about a £40m move for Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta, Zirkzee’s place could be under threat. “He needs time, but time’s running out,” one supporter posted on X. Koeman’s words sting, but they might just light a fire under Zirkzee—or signal the end of his United dream.
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