Erik ten Hag has once again reiterated that he believes Joshua Zirkzee can become a prolific goalscorer for Manchester United.
Zirkzee arrived at United this summer from Italian side Bologna in a deal worth £36.5m after scoring 12 goals in all competitions last season to help them qualify for the Champions League.
The 23-year-old had a debut to remember as he came off the bench against Fulham to score the winning goal on the opening game of the season at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag believes Zirkzee can become a prolific goalscorer
However, since then things haven’t exactly gone to plan and Zirkzee has been unable to add to his goal tally in United’s subsequent games.
It’s been a difficult start to the season for the Red Devils who have won just two of their first five games and sit 11th in the league.
Zirkzee, who was signed to provide competition and an alternative to Rasmus Hojlund is still very much in the infancy of his United career and shouldn’t be judged too harshly on the basis of a handful of games.
United will be hoping Zirkzee can find that scoring touch as they look to get themselves back into the Champions League this season, but Ten Hag has backed the Dutch international to become a prolific goalscorer for United and believes the goals are coming if he keeps working hard.
“Yes I do [think he can become a prolific goalscorer for United],” Ten Hag told his pre-match press conference.
“Sure, he is young. We see his great abilities. He is a very good link-up player, as you say, he is creative.
“He is creating chances but be fair, also he has his moments towards the goal from the opposition. I think it was a great action he had [against FC Twente] and a great finish he had, top save from the keeper but in that area he can definitely improve.
Fact.