Zirkzee BTS: What to look out for

Sunday 21 July 2024 13:52

All attention at Manchester United is currently centred around young defender Leny Yoro, who became our second signing of the summer on Thursday.

Our big first interview with the 18-year-old is pending, and will be released at 16:00 BST on Monday, but have you feasted on the in-depth, behind-the-scenes edit with United’s first arrival of the window yet?

Joshua Zirkzee was confirmed as a Red last weekend, and cameras from club media were there to welcome the Netherlands forward on his first day at Carrington and Old Trafford.

It’s a great watch and here are five things you’ll notice from our access with Zirk…

Behind the scenes with Joshua Zirkzee Video

Behind the scenes with Joshua Zirkzee

BEHIND THE SCENES | Don't miss your unprecedented access to the day Joshua Zirkzee became a Red…

MEDICAL CHECKS

Joshua rocks up at the training ground and the video continues in the inner sanctum at Carrington, as the 23-year-old is welcomed by head of sports medicine Gary O’Driscoll. Zirkzee is not currently training with the rest of the squad, as he is enjoying a few weeks off following the European Championship, but it was important to undergo the usual checks with the doc before being announced as a United player.

CHATTING WITH ERIK

Zirkzee then catches up with compatriot and new manager Erik ten Hag, outside of the building at Carrington. The pair converse in Dutch, as the boss welcomes his new striker and asks if he’s ready for his new challenge. He then tells him to go and see Ruud [van Nistelrooy], with the legendary former striker presumably itching to pass on some tips.

A FAMILIAR TEAM-MATE

Later in the edit, at Zirkzee’s interview shoot, we ask him if he already knows any of his United team-mates. He reveals that he used to go to school with Tyrell Malacia and knows him very well. Ty, who we will hopefully see a lot more of this season after injury, is a couple of years older than his fellow Dutchman, but both men hail from the Rotterdam area.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF OLD TRAFFORD

Later in the day, JZ makes his first-ever pilgrimage to the Theatre of Dreams, commenting on the size of the stadium and its overpowering character.

“It’s incredible,” he says. “It’s huge. It doesn’t look like this on TV, do you know what I mean. It shocked me a little bit. It has an aura to it.”

FAVOURITE PLAYERS

At the stadium, we close with a quick Q&A to get to know Zirkzee a little better. He names basketball as his preferred sport, outside of football, and identifies Ronaldinho as his idol growing up. He adds that Cristiano Ronaldo is his favourite United player of all time – and if he can provide us with half as much joy as the Portuguese icon did during his two spells here, Zirk will be quite the player.

Recommended: