Joshua Zirkzee says he is ‘not worried’ and welcomes the prospect of added competition at Manchester United as the club look to bring in a new striker this summer.
The Red Devils have bolstered their attack with the addition of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo in the transfer market, with the duo arriving at the Theatre of Dreams for a combined fee of around £125million.
But United are determined to further strengthen by signing an out-and-out centre-forward capable of scoring the goals Ruben Amorim’s side so badly lacked last season, when the club finished with their worst-ever Premier League points tally.
Viktor Gyokeres had been identified as United’s number one target on the back of another exceptional campaign in Portuguese football with Sporting, in which he scored 54 goals in 52 games.
But United were forced to concede defeat as Arsenal struck a deal to sign the prolific Swede and Old Trafford bosses have reportedly whittled down their shortlist to just two names: RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.
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It’s understood Leipzig could be prepared to do business for Sesko should they receive an offer of around £70m, while Watkins, the far cheaper option, is said to be available for between £40m-£45m.
The ongoing search for a striker raises serious questions over the future of both Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund, who managed just seven goals between them last term.
But Zirkzee insists the addition of more quality up front can only be healthy for United’s prospects ahead of the new campaign, with Amorim’s men looking to drastically improve on their wretched showing last term.
‘I think it’s part of being at this club,’ the Dutchman said.
‘To be honest, I don’t read the news but if another striker were to come I guess it’s only good competition so I’m not really worried.
‘Everything is for the team, there’s no selfishness here, that’s not my mantra. If it were to help the team then great.’
Zirkzee admits there is major room for improvement in his game when it comes to finding the back of the net, but simply winning more games be the priority for United next season.
‘I don’t think I’ve shown my best form,’ he added.
‘I think I was on my way towards it [before his injury], but I think there’s improvement every day for all of us.
‘[Amorim] wants goals so that’s what I have to work on. That’s what it all comes down to.
‘I’m a different profile but in the end if you’re up top you’re supposed to score goals, I’m not going to take that fact away. But the most important thing is that we win so if Bruno scores 60 goals and we win all the games that’s fine.
Zirkzee is currently with Amorim’s squad on the club’s pre-season tour of the United States, but missed the side’s 2-1 defeat of West Ham due to a ‘small injury’.
The Netherlands forward reassured fans that he was working his way back to full fitness, though, with the hamstring problem not thought to be serious.
He explained: ‘I’ve got a small injury, but it shouldn’t take too long to recover now,” he said.
‘I’ve got great physios working with me every day. It’s a small injury, not a serious problem.’
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