Man Utd sign ‘new Ronaldinho’

Carlo Garganese

Updated: 16 Jul 2024 07:17 BST
3 min read

New Manchester United signing Joshua Zirkzee has been compared to Brazil and Barcelona legend Ronaldinho by his former Bologna coach Thiago Motta.

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Zirkzee completed his move to Man Utd from Bologna at the weekend in what is Erik ten Hag’s first major transfer of the summer.

The forward had been expected to join AC Milan originally, but they pulled out of the race and that allowed United to complete the deal.

The 23-year-old was one of the standout players in Serie A this past season, and he has often been compared to former Milan and Barcelona star Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

But the manager who oversaw the explosion of Zirkzee at Bologna over the last year, Thiago Motta, has even higher praise.

"He said his idols are Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Gabriel Batistuta. Seeing him day-to-day, he reminds me of the Ronaldinho I played with at Barcelona,” said Motta, who has since left Bologna to become the manager of Juventus.

Zirkzee at Bologna

Zirkzee and Motta led Bologna to a shock qualification into next season’s Champions League.

Zirkzee delivered 12 goals and seven assists in all competitions as Bologna finished fifth in Serie A.

He was the key man for a Bologna team who performed well above their weight under Motta to qualify for the Champions League.

Standing at 6ft 4in, Zirkzee is a giant of a striker who is expert at holding up the ball and bringing others into play.

He is strong at protecting the ball with his back to play, but he is also excellent technically, boasting quick feet and able to move out of tight spaces.

Zirkzee went to Euro 2024 with Netherlands but barely featured under Ronald Koeman.