Holland striker Joshua Zirkzee celebrates after Euro 2024 triumph.
Kobbie Mainoo was once again a standout performer for England as Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag would’ve undoubtedly watched on with delight.
The Three Lions booked their place in the Euro 2024 semi-finals after beating Switzerland on penalties. It was another impressive runout for Mainoo who continued in midfield and performed impeccably in Dusseldorf……CONTINUE READING
United pre-season preparations are edging closer, with players expected to return gradually as international tournaments draw towards their close. Transfer rumours continue to swirl with a host of players being linked with moves away from Old Trafford, including Mason Greenwood after MEN reported that Marseille and Lazio both tabled offers for the 22-year-old.
Here, MEN Sport takes a look at the latest coming from Old Trafford.
Joshua Zirkzee agreement
According to Caught Offside, Manchester United have moved ahead of AC Milan in the race to sign Joshua Zirkzee after the Italian club’s failure to reach an agreement with Bologna.
Sources have reportedly told the outlet that United have reached an agreement on personal terms with the Dutch striker. It has been said that talks are underway with the Serie A outfit over the details of how the £34million release clause will be paid.
United are on the hunt for a new striker after Anthony Martial’s departure plus the struggles in front of goal from their attacking department during the previous Premier League campaign.
MEN Sport says: Manchester United will likely be forced to wait to continue negotiations with the player after Holland booked their place in the semi-finals. Zirkzee was a late change from Ronald Koemann as Oranje turned the game on its head after trailing for 35 minutes.
Erik ten Hag will need to bolster his strike options whether it is with one attacker or two, but should the reports be true surrounding Zirkzee, he will be a good option to have in their attacking department and will arrive in the Premier League in good form, should a move materialise.
It does beg the question of whether United need a different profile for a forward with both Rasmus Holjund and Zirkzee being target men to a degree, which can add a new dimension to their counter-attacking.
Donny van de Beek close to United exit
Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek is reportedly on the verge of signing for Girona as he looks to revive his career.
The Dutchman has had a difficult time in England after his highly-anticipated move to United from Ajax didn’t live up to expectations. Van de Beek endured loan spells with Everton and Eintracht Frankfurt but couldn’t cement a starting berth at either club.
De Telegraaf are reporting that Girona have reached an agreement with Manchester United and he will sign a four-year deal with the club. United, it has been suggested, could bank as much as €15million (£12m).
MEN Sport says:In a summer where United needed to offload some of their fringe players, Donny van de Beek could be the beginning of the firesale. After years of mismanagement and overspending in the transfer window, Van de Beek is an example of a player who arrived with so much potential but couldn’t live up to the expectation. While there have been successes in recent years, the former Ajax man will go down an unfortunate blemish on the transfer record.
A reported £12million fee falls well short of the price United paid for him, but it’s also an admirable return for a player who has struggled so badly over the last four years. His departure could be the marking of a change of guard under the new-look footballing hierarchy since Sir Jim Ratcliffe came on board.
