JOSHUA ZIRKZEE arrived at Manchester United a stone overweight – and Erik ten Hag didn’t even want him.
The £36.5million flop has scored just once this season and has started only four of United’s twelve Premier League games.
Now SunSport can reveal not only did he arrive at United out of shape — it has taken a while to shift that extra weight.
His condition left manager Ten Hag unhappy as he was not his choice of striker in the first place.
His arrival from Bologna was instigated by Ineos’ new management team – who identified the 23-year-old as good value for money.
That is a huge matter for debate now with many fans still wondering if he is up to the fitness levels needed to be a Prem player.
Zirkzee scored on his debut against Fulham – coming off the bench to grab a late winner in the Red Devils’ opening Premier League fixture of the season.
There has been nothing since from 15 appearances in all competition – seven of them starts.
The Dutch international’s last league start came against Tottenham at the end of September before his compatriot Ten Hag reverted back to Rasmus Hojlund, who had been unavailable at the season was delayed due to injury.
Zirkzee was only brought on by interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy in the 84th minute of Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea.
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He immediately was given a chance when he was put through – but lacked the pace to get away from Wesley Fofana.
Bizarrely, Zirkzee later posted a picture on Instagram of the moment he was through on goal — even though it came to nothing.
He did not come to United with a great goalscoring reputation.
While the club desperately needed a No 9, there has been some debate whether Zirkzee is better suited to playing as a No 10.
The Dutchman began his career at Bayern Munich but they afforded him just 17 games in which he got four goals.
He was loaned out to Parma and Anderlecht before making a permanent move to Serie A and Bologna where he got just 14 goals in 58 appearances over two seasons.
MARTIN BLACKBURN gives his verdict on the Red Devils against Chelsea
Andre Onana – 5
Will be disappointed not to keep out Caicedo’s equaliser.
Almost put Casemiro in trouble with sloppy early pass too
Noussair Mazraoui – 6
Key interception to prevent Neto getting in on goal late on and tried to support Garnacho where possible
Matthijs de Ligt – 6
Good early block to deny Palmer.
Late slip under pressure from Jackson almost proved costly.
Lisandro Martinez – 6
Lucky not to concede a pen with clumsy challenge on Colwill and lucky to escape a red for x-rated late tackle on Palmer.
Diogo Dalot – 6
Poor tackle on Pedro Neto earned a deserved booking and had a real battle with his international team-mate.
Casemiro – 7
Made a difference with super ball to Hojlund in lead up to pen – but could he have got more distance on clearing header that was despatched by Moises Caicedo.
Manuel Ugarte – 6
Rugby tackle on Palmer but Uruguayan showed signs he is starting to settle in after big money summer move.
Alejandro Garnacho – 6
Always a threat but wasted some great chances.
Shot straight at Sanchez and shanked another effort after great work by Fernandes.
Bruno Fernandes – 8
Created United’s best two chances for Rashford and Garnacho and then kept his cool to score from the spot.
Marcus Rashford – 6
Hit the angle with volley on stroke of half-time and saw another shot saved by Sanchez.
Better from the England man.
Rasmus Hojlund – 6
Did not touch the ball in the Chelsea box first half but when he finally did he won the penalty.
Subs
Amad Diallo (73′ for Rashford)
A couple of nice touches but not much impact.
Joshua Zirkzee (’84 for Hojlund)
A couple of nice touches but not much impact.
Victor Lindelof (’84 for Ugarte)
Thrown on to keep things tight and did that.
Despite having moved to Bologna for just £7.15m his worth had rocketed when United came calling on the back of those two seasons.
New Sporting Director Dan Ashworth alongside Technical Director Jason Wilcox are the men who have been tasked by part owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe to improve United’s recruitment.
Zirkzee missed United’s pre-season training camp despite having only played two minutes of Holland’s Euro campaign – in their 2-1 defeat to England in the semi-finals.
Rather than join the team at their training camp in Los Angeles, he took his allotted time off.
That raised eyebrows among some close to the club given that he was holidaying in LA at the same time United were there and called in only to say hello to his new team-mates.
United have had their worst start to a season since 1986-87 with just 12 points from 10 games and stand 13th in the table.
They are one of only three clubs not to be in double figures for goals scored.
