Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag gave the green light for forward Joshua Zirkzee to catch up with his old Bologna mates in Liverpool ahead of playing FC Porto in the Europa League.
The Dutch frontman, who featured in United's dismal 3-0 home defeat to Tottenham on Sunday, jumped at the chance to reconnect with his former colleagues as they touched down in Merseyside for a Champions League face-off against Liverpool . However, he made sure to get the nod from his club, according to the MEN , before embarking on the hour-long trip to Bologna's team hotel amid the ongoing turmoil at Old Trafford.
Insiders reveal that after a round of hugs and handshakes, Zirkzee spent time chewing the fat with his ex-teammates until around 10.30pm (UK time) on Tuesday night, ahead of United's Europa League clash with FC Porto on Thursday. Last season, the center-forward played a key role in Bologna's ticket to Europe's top-tier club competition, netting 11 goals in 34 Serie A outings.
Virgil van Dijk details Liverpool meeting after Wolves and what needs to improve under Arne Slot Liverpool signing impressing behind the scenes as exciting 'identity' already clear The 23-year-old had a whirlwind summer, wrapping up his $47m (£36m/€43m) switch to United just five days after Holland's Euro 2024 semi-final defeat to England in Dortmund. Despite this, the former Bayern Munich striker made no bones about his fondness for Bologna in a touching statement released upon his arrival at United.
In July, he wrote a heartfelt message: "Grazie, Rossoblu. I can't really find the words to explain how much you all mean to me. The stadium, the city, this team, but especially the PEOPLE who will always have a special place in my heart. I hope that for all the support and trust that you gave me, I have given something back in return. Bologna is finally where it belongs and I will support and cheer for you from a distance! Ti Amo, Bolo. Forever."
Despite bagging a dramatic winner on his first outing against Fulham, Zirkzee has found himself facing criticism for his subsequent displays at United.
Dutch football icon Frank de Boer didn't mince his words about Zirkzee's lackluster display against Spurs, unleashing his thoughts on while appearing live on Viaplay as a pundit: "Look at Joshua Zirkzee. He was having a nightmare. He was absolutely shocking. How many times does he make the wrong choices on the pitch? Ok, he did have one shot at goal and the keeper saved it.
"But all in all he was champion in losing the ball. During the warm-up before the game, I was watching him and he was shooting on goal but he was blasting it anywhere but on target. Honestly, he did not hit the target once in the warm-up.
"That was terrible. When you are a good striker, you don't have to blast every ball, you have to make sure your shots are in the corner. During the game Marcus Rashford tried to shoot like that. Zirkzee never did."
Zirkzee has found it challenging to make his mark, netting just one goal in six Premier League outings, and is yet to kick off alongside fellow forward Rasmus Hojlund as they vie for a place in the starting line-up.
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