Ruben Amorim’s Task: Unleashing Zirkzee’s Distinct Abilities

‘Overweight, slow, not a Manchester United-level player… ‘After just thirteen games, a majority of fans and some pundits had already concluded that Joshua Zirkzee, who was recognized in the Serie A Team of the Year for his captivating performances in Italy last season, represented a poor acquisition by the Red Devils. Bologna football club is situated in Italy’s culinary capital. Few global cities can match Bologna’s gastronomic appeal, and while the football historically offered little more than hope, Thiago Motta and his dynamic squad began to generate as much enthusiasm as the renowned tagliatelle with ragu last season. Many observers enthusiastically informed reporters, who arrived in large numbers to witness the spectacle, that Zirkzee alone justified the ticket price. Complex, exceptionally intelligent, and embodying a style of football that once highlighted individual players’ unique talents over a team’s tactical philosophy, Zirkzee consistently entertained. He was a synthesis of his inspirations and a product of Cruyff Courts, the enclosed football pitches designed to enhance ball skills. Did he score prolifically? No. Was he indispensable to Bologna and the overall football viewing experience? Absolutely. Zirkzee has recorded three goals in 20 appearances across all competitions to date. Manchester United’s third goal against Everton offered a glimpse of Zirkzee’s proficiency. He took a second to survey the pitch, then executed a perfectly technical pass to Amad. Zirkzee values nothing more than the freedom to drop deep, create, and deliver, even more so than having runners alongside him. However, this was merely a brief insight. Zirkzee’s supporters found it gratifying to see a United coach finally leverage the player’s tactical intelligence and movement in space by granting him the liberty to roam, create, and unleash his abilities. It was a thoughtful approach to surround him with players making runs, allowing his intelligence to manifest, rather than simply instructing him to remain in the box and score. When Corriere della Sera inquired in February about areas for improvement, the player responded: “I have to remember that I am the only striker in the team and to stay more inside the area.” He attempts to adhere to this, and is capable of doing so, but it is not where his primary talent lies. Italian media analyzed and scrutinized the player’s heat map after a match between Bologna and Roma. Zirkzee demonstrated omnipresence, moving vertically and horizontally, assisting teammates by creating passing outlets, drawing defenders away to open space for the incursions of midfielders and Riccardo Calafiori, and even tracking back to support the defense. Zirkzee was not merely a striker; he was the central hub of operations. Every move at Bologna flowed through him because, as he states: “I have a certain ability, [Motta] gave me the confidence to exalt it.” One of his most exemplary performances was against Inter in the Coppa Italia last season. Surrounded by seven opponents in the center of the pitch as he accelerated forward, flanked by two runners, he delivered a flawless pass for Dan Ndoye to score. Inter was subsequently eliminated from the cup. Revisit his first assist of that game – a spectacular flying backheel kick with the outside of his boot from the byline, setting up Sam Beukema’s goal. His actions are consistently extraordinary. Should a defender choose to press him, this only further pleases the Dutchman. He relishes nothing more than enticing opponents close to him, the more the better, before showcasing his technique. Even defenders adept at pivoting are caught off guard by Zirkzee’s presence. He is a master of evasion, and for him, football is an art form, a source of enjoyment and fun. The game, for him, is about outmaneuvering the opponent, and unless Zirkzee can tap into that energy and be allowed to express his talent, he may underperform. It appears he accomplishes the impossible with ease, yet finds simple tasks challenging. Zirkzee (right) transferred to United for £36.5m from Bologna in the summer. While playing for Bayern Munich, he notably missed an easy tap-in against Ajax in a pre-season friendly, which resulted in an overwhelming amount of criticism and abuse from fans. The social media backlash was unbearable, leading the forward to delete all his Instagram posts and even change his profile picture to a black screen. His then-manager, Julian Nagelsmann, was unimpressed: “He wanted to finish this one casually. I hope that he has a different sense of seriousness in competitive matches.” This highlights a recurring issue with Zirkzee – his attitude has seemingly always been questioned. “Talent alone is not enough, it is important that he works on himself,” stated former Bayern manager Hansi Flick. “Then he can play Bundesliga. It’s about mentality and attitude and the absolute will to show what you want.” The question remains: does Zirkzee possess this unwavering desire? At Anderlecht, a viral video clip circulated earlier this summer showing then-coach Vincent Kompany reprimanding his players. He told Zirkzee directly: “And second thing, Zirk, this is the last time I talk about your attitude. You come off, I don’t need a ******* smile but I need an attitude that’s perfect. You were not good, just like all the other ones. I could have taken anyone off without anyone complaining.” In teams where intense effort and determination are valued above exceptional skill, Zirkzee might struggle to win over supporters until his moments of magic prompt a reevaluation of what football should truly embody. Kompany, in fact, proved to be an important coach for Zirkzee – he scored many goals in Belgium, which paved the way for his transfer to Bologna. Having a coach who believed in him and fostered his development was crucial for a player who is always eager to learn but is temperamental by nature. Under Motta at Bologna, particularly in his second season after Marko Arnautovic’s departure and with Zirkzee taking on increased responsibility, the Dutchman flourished. Bologna possessed players who understood how to capitalize on the space Zirkzee created for them, facilitating Calafiori’s excellent forward runs and Lewis Ferguson’s numerous goals. When Zirkzee comprehends the abilities of his teammates, he learns to maneuver in ways that enable them to perform at their best. “I try to move knowing the characteristics of my team-mates. With some I come to meet and receive the ball, with others I pretend to attack the depth, then I try to receive the ball on my feet,” Zirkzee explained to DAZN in March. He admitted: “I don’t consider myself a selfish striker but I think it’s something I’ll have to work on in the future. People are right, I don’t score enough. When I don’t score I get angry with myself. Believe me.” Zirkzee’s physical build also contributes to the expectation that he should be a different kind of striker. His physique suggests he ought to dominate opponents physically, use his weight, win aerial duels, and engage in battles. Instead, he is defined by his technique; ambidextrous as a child, he consistently prefers the ball on the ground, more interested in delivering the decisive pass than scoring the goal. This does not imply he lacks clinical finishing ability – two predatory goals against Salernitana last season demonstrated his efficiency beyond mere artistry. However, a deep-seated hunger for goals may not be his primary drive. His performance improves with greater involvement, and Ruben Amorim appears to be developing an understanding of how to best utilize the player. Patience is advisable, as it is rare to find a player who can comfortably contort his body like Zlatan Ibrahimovic or evoke Ronaldinho on the pitch. “Seeing him day to day, he reminds me of the Ronaldinho I played with at Barcelona,” Motta commented. “But I cannot compare him to anyone. He is Joshua, he is special, he enjoys his football and above all works very hard in training.”