When Joshua Zirkzee made his £36.5 million move from Bologna to Manchester United last summer, expectations were high.
However, his first season in England has been anything but smooth sailing.
It wasn’t until recently that the Dutch forward began to show signs of the quality that earned him such a big move.
But as the saying goes, good things come to those who wait, and Zirkzee’s recent performances have started to turn heads, especially after his notable display in United’s 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad in the Europa League.
A Solid Performance Against Real Sociedad
Manchester United faced Real Sociedad in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday night, and Zirkzee was one of the standout players.
Despite United drawing 1-1, Zirkzee opened the scoring for the Red Devils, although his goal was later canceled out by Mikel Oyarzabal’s penalty.
It was an otherwise mixed night for Ruben Amorim’s side, but the result still leaves them in a good position heading into the second leg at Old Trafford next week.
Zirkzee’s performance was particularly encouraging, adding to the growing sense that he might be finding his stride in England.
A Difficult Start But Signs of Hope
Zirkzee’s journey at United hasn’t been without its struggles.
The 23-year-old forward has had to deal with both team struggles and fan frustration.
His tally of just six goals and two assists in 41 appearances during the 2024-2025 season is far from stellar, and he often found himself the target of criticism.
Things took a turn for the worse on December 30 when Zirkzee was substituted just 33 minutes into a 2-0 loss to Newcastle.
The crowd jeered him off the field, and many thought he might be on his way out during the January transfer window.
However, Zirkzee refused to let the setbacks define him.
Turning the Tide: Fans Begin to Praise Zirkzee
Recently, Zirkzee has started to turn things around, with his hard work and consistency earning him praise from fans.
After his performance against Sociedad, Manchester United supporters flooded social media with messages of support.
One fan commented, “From being booed at Old Trafford to putting in back-to-back solid performances.
He’s quietly played himself into the team and made it difficult to drop him. So happy for Joshua Zirkzee.”
Another fan said, “Joshua Zirkzee has quietly been plugging away the last few games and solidifying his place in the starting 11, well deserved.”
The general sentiment was clear: the once-criticized player is slowly earning the trust of both fans and the coaching staff.
A Comeback Story in the Making
There was even talk of Zirkzee’s potential for a dramatic turnaround.
“If you’re a United fan and Zirkzee scoring doesn’t bring a huge smile to your face, then we have nothing in common lol,” one fan wrote.
Another added, “We might be witnessing the nastiest comeback arc from Joshua Zirkzee.”
It seems Zirkzee is finally starting to prove his worth, and many are excited to see how his journey at United will unfold from here.
Ruben Amorim’s Impact on Zirkzee
Ruben Amorim, who has recently taken charge of United, has also been quick to praise Zirkzee.
After the game, Amorim commented on how well the forward had been working and how his improvements were paying off.
“He deserves it because he is working really well, improving lots of things in the game, and he was really important for us today,” said Amorim.
The tactical tweaks Amorim has made to get the best out of Zirkzee appear to be paying off, and fans are starting to believe that the Dutchman could have a bright future at Manchester United if his progress continues.
Looking Ahead: A Crucial Week for Zirkzee and United
Manchester United will be back in action this Sunday when they host Arsenal in the Premier League, followed by the second leg of their Europa League tie against Real Sociedad next Thursday.
If Zirkzee continues his recent form, it could be a crucial period for both him and the team as they look to turn their season around.
As for Zirkzee, the future seems a little brighter.
Fans are hopeful that the player who struggled early on might just be on the verge of fulfilling his potential at one of the world’s biggest clubs.