Joshua Zirkzee says the new Manchester United teammate’s choice will determine the squad number.
Zirkzee Joshua
This week, Zirkzee moved to Manchester United (Image courtesy of Getty Images).
Joshua Zirkzee says he plans to wear either the No. 9 or No. 11 shirt for Manchester United the next season, but he acknowledges that new colleague Rasmus Hojlund may have the final say in the matter.
Zirkzee, 23, arrived from Bologna on Monday in a move of £36 million, becoming United’s first summer acquisition. Leny Yoro, the phenomenon from Lille, may soon join him; he completed his first medical examination in Manchester prior to leaving France.
The Netherlands international, who finished the 2023–24 season as Bologna’s top scorer and helped them qualify for the Champions League, will provide United with a flexible attacking option.
In his first interview with club media, which was made public on Wednesday, the forward disclosed that Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ronaldinho were his childhood heroes.
His squad number is still unknown, though, as Anthony Martial left at the end of his contract, leaving the no. 9 spot open.
Zirkzee acknowledges that Hojlund might be chosen over him, but he still has his eye on the renowned no. 9.
Like Zirkzee, the Danish international was a Serie A transfer when he first arrived at Old Trafford. He became United’s main centre forward last season and will aim to build on his 16 goal debut in 2024–25.
Hojlund is wearing the number 11 shirt right now (Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
If a trade is done, Zirkzee is also willing to accept Hojlund’s 11—which was formerly worn by club legend Ryan Giggs.
When asked what shirt number he would be wearing, Zirkzee said, “That depends a bit on Rasmus Højlund,” on the YouTube programme Supergraande. In addition to being a striker, he is already there. Yes, No. 9 is free, but I can assume that since he has 11, he now wants number nine. That being said, I’ll take 11.
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“It doesn’t really matter to me because I also had 11 at Bologna.”
Zirkzee also discussed his first conversations with United during the Netherlands’ unsuccessful Euro 2024 campaign against England in the semi-finals.
“I spoke with someone in Wolfsburg.” Because he is always there, my father was also present. I felt happy right away after that talk, therefore the decision was actually made, he stated.
“In any case, United also considered the European Championship to be very important.” That was the area that required attention. So that was manageable.
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