Since joining Manchester United from Bologna in the summer of 2024, Joshua Zirkzee has had a difficult start to his career. When Old Trafford supporters realised how he sounded, they were shocked.
As a young, attractive player who came through Feyenoord’s system, he was able to attract Bayern Munich’s attention and sign him in 2017. In the summer of 2022, unable to find a place in Bavaria, he relocated to Bologna.
The six-cap Netherlands international, who has been praised for his Velcro-like touch and distinctive striker style, has not performed well for the 13-time Premier League champions, with five goals and two assists in 36 appearances across all competitions.
He scored in his first game, a 1-0 victory over Fulham, lighting up one of the greatest stadiums in Premier League history. However, under Ruben Amorim’s leadership, things have not been as successful, with him frequently sharing the weight with Rasmus Hojlund.
Although he is still in the early stages of his profession, Schiedam-born Zirkzee has worked throughout the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, and England. As a result, his English is quite good for someone who isn’t a native speaker.
Fans are having a hard time accepting Zirkzee’s voice after a compilation of the 23-year-old performing media tasks for his Premier League employers, frequently with fellow countryman Matthijs De Ligt, started making the rounds on social media.
Did not expect Zirkzee to sound like that 😂👀 pic.twitter.com/a4QQZGhrev
— UtdXclusive (@UtdXclusive) February 9, 2025
His accent impressed one fan, who posted on X (previously Twitter) that “He may give Isak a run for his money for best English accent from a foreign player in the Premier League.” “Love his voice,” someone else wrote.
One fan compared the Manchester United player to the Swede since Newcastle United talisman Alexander Isak had previously astounded fans with his amazing accent. “This is like when we heard Isak’s voice for the first time.”
Another fan has suggested Zirkzee, one of the football players jeered by their own supporters, as a possible voice actor. They stated: “If he fails at football, he could make a good career as a voice over artist.”
The man speaks English more fluently than the majority of English speakers.
The British-sounding Zirkzee stumped another supporter, who cited the Dutch tinge in De Ligt’s dialect. “His accent sounds remarkably similar to that of the British. Whoa. De Ligt has a more Dutch accent.
