Joshua Zirkzee, on the verge of a £34 million transfer to Manchester United, has a history of enduring Vincent Kompany’s intense criticism. The Dutch forward, who had a standout season with Bologna, is attracting attention from several top European clubs, with the Red Devils leading the race for his signature.
Zirkzee, formerly with Bayern Munich, had multiple loan spells, one of which was at Anderlecht under Kompany, who was at the beginning of his managerial career. In October 2021, after Anderlecht conceded a last-minute equalizer to draw 2-2 with Sint-Truiden, Kompany’s anger was palpable. In the dressing room, he openly criticized Zirkzee among others.
Kompany’s frustration was clear: “Zirk, last time I talked about your attitude you came up with only a f*****g smile. But I need that attitude. You were no good, just like all the others. I could have taken off anybody, without anyone complaining.”
His tirade started with: “Listen, no misunderstanding, there’s one fg side of me you haven’t fg seen boys. Number one – whether we play with three, four, five or six [in defense] it’s my f*****g decision. And I take the responsibility if we lose and if we don’t perform well.”
Zirkzee’s time in Belgium preceded his permanent move to Bologna, where he thrived under Thiago Motta. With Motta now at Juventus, Zirkzee is set for new challenges. Manchester United, under Erik ten Hag, are keen to bolster their attacking options. Despite investing heavily in Rasmus Hojlund last summer, United seeks further reinforcements upfront.
Zirkzee, though still unproven at the top level, has caught the eye of United’s new sporting director, Dan Ashworth. Known for his strong recruitment skills, Ashworth is overseeing the club’s transfer activities. Aiming to enhance United’s squad depth and attacking prowess.
As Zirkzee prepares for his potential move to Old Trafford, memories of Kompany’s fierce admonishment serve as a reminder of the challenges he has faced and the growth he has undergone.
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