Joshua Zirkzee is finding his feet at Manchester United (Picture: Getty Images)
Joshua Zirkzee has not impressed former Manchester United and England defender Paul Parker, saying that if the forward is fit he doesn’t look it.
The 23-year-old arrived from Bologna over the summer in a £36.5m move after a good last season in Serie A which saw him score 11 league goals.
The Netherlands international made the dream start to life with the Red Devils as he came off the bench to score the winner on his debut against Fulham on the opening day of the season.
However, he has not found the back of the net since, despite starting three games and making another substitute appearance.
Parker is certainly unconvinced by Zirkzee and expects Rasmus Hojlund to oust him from the starting line-up now the Danish striker is fit again.
‘Once Hojlund is back from injury he will start because you need a focal point. He’s needed,’ Parker told bettingexpert.com. ‘I can’t see how Zirkzee gets in the team. Who do you take out to bring him in? Do you take out a wide player?
‘Unless ten Hag changes the system I can’t see how Zirkzee plays and I don’t know his best position. Can he win the ball back? I look at him and when he starts games, his socks are around his ankles and he looks like he’s ran a half marathon before he’s even started a game. I’m not sure how fit he is.
‘There’s no great burst in his runs or a change of pace. He’s very one paced. I just don’t know. [Former England boss Fabio] Capello said the pace of the game in England has caught Zirkzee off guard.’
Luke Shaw is yet to play this season (Picture: Getty Images)
Parker was a right-back by trade and feels Erik ten Hag has a problem on the opposite side of his defence with Luke Shaw still not back from injury.
The England international has not played for Manchester United since February as he struggled with a hamstring problem, returned for his country at Euro 2024 but has since suffered a calf injury and won’t be back until next month.
‘The main issue with the defence right now is they don’t have a left footed left back because of Shaw’s injuries,’ said Parker. ‘[Diogo] Dalot has done a great job but you do need that outlet. It’s a problem. That wide left player who is Rashford right now would benefit from having a left footed left back.
‘It’ll be interesting to see how Shaw fits in when he comes back. There’s no time to wait. It’s crazy that Luke Shaw went to the Euro’s when he shouldn’t have.’
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