Joshua Zirkzee started down the middle in Manchester United's opening pre-season game of the summer against Wrexham. There were thousands of empty seats at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki as United faced Wrexham last weekend.
A combination of Finland not boasting as many United fans as their Scandinavian neighbours, a lack of star names in the travelling squad, and the fact the World Cup was still ongoing meant attendance was low. Finland-based United fans who do not live in the capital were maybe not going to travel to Helsinki in their droves to watch Zirkzee start up front.
Zirkzee's start a reminder of striker shortage
Zirkzee starting up front in the opening game of pre-season was fine. The game was about building fitness at the beginning of the pre-season schedule, but it was a reminder that United need to sign another forward. Benjamin Sesko was absent against Wrexham because he stayed behind at Carrington to continue his recovery from a shin injury that was aggravated against Liverpool last season.
Sesko played through the injury for as long as he could, but medical staff advised he needed a spell on the sidelines when Ibrahima Konate sent him into the pitchside concrete at Old Trafford. Sesko is the only recognised senior striker in the squad and United cannot afford to lose him to injury, particularly because Zirkzee is the current backup option and he is not capable of playing up front.
Concerns for the new season
It won't be fine if Zirkzee is lining up to start down the middle for the final pre-season game of the summer against AC Milan. That would be a huge cause for concern on the eve of the 2026/2027 campaign. United are confident that Sesko will recover in time for the start of the new season, however, a new striker must be added to the squad not only to provide cover but to ease the scoring burden on Sesko's shoulders.
The Reds are considering their options in the striker market this summer, and there is potential for an experienced centre-forward to arrive, someone who may not be an exciting signing but knows the league. What it would mean for Zirkzee remains to be seen. He's currently stuck in limbo, masquerading as a striker during pre-season when the evidence from his time in Manchester shows he is better occupying deeper positions.
Zirkzee's role and future
Zirkzee looked best against Wrexham when he dropped back and linked play with his teammates. There were some green shoots when Ruben Amorim played him as a No.10, but it feels unlikely he will ever play there in Michael Carrick's system, given the players ahead of him. Although the Dutchman wanted to leave in the January transfer window, United told him it would not be possible, and he unsurprisingly missed out on the World Cup after making just five league starts. Zirkzee is popular with his teammates, he has earned cult status among supporters and there will be more games to go around in the new season, but he needs to enjoy a more fulfilling career.
Finding a buyer for Zirkzee would raise funds to offset an incoming forward who is a capable striker. He described his best position as a "9.5" when he signed for United, but the club need another out-and-out nine.
