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JOSHUA ZIRKZEE joined Manchester United off the back of a strong season in Italy.The 23-year-old was signed in a £36.5million transfer from Bologna to boost Erik ten Hag’s forward options beyond that of Rasmus Hojlund.Erik ten Hag faces a dilemma to get the best out of two starsCredit: PANew boy Joshua Zirkzee has shown glimpses of his best and how he can work at Man UtdCredit: GettyBut there is a conundrum considering he likes to take up the same spaces as Bruno FernandesCredit: RexBut there is a way the pair can work together to the benefit of the teamCredit: AFPThe Dutch international scored 12 goals and added seven assists in 37 games for the Serie A side as they unexpectedly qualified for the Champions League. However, Zirkzee is a striker who prefers to operate deeper and link play, as opposed to playing high and on the shoulder all of the time.Forwards of this type can work and score goals at the highest level, but there is a need to make sure the rest of the team work in tandem to suit this profile and style of forward.Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino is a famous example of this as he linked with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane to maximise their impact in games as they stayed higher while the Brazilian dropped deeper.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLUnited arguably have the players to fill these wide attacker roles in Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho, but Zirkzee’s role at present comes into conflict with club captain Bruno Fernandes.It begs the question of whether Ten Hag wants to use Zirkzee or Fernandes as his chief playmaker or whether he can afford to have them both looking to occupy similar spaces and play similar roles.Zirkzee as the deep playmakerZirkzee has had an interesting career path to reach Old Trafford.He moved from the Netherlands to Germany at an early age to join the youth system at Bayern Munich, but he never looked like breaking into the first team at the Bavarian club. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSInstead, he had a series of loans before Bologna took him on a permanent deal prior to the 22/23 season. Zirkzee’s talent has never been in question, but instead, the question mark over him is how to get the best out of him – given that he is not the most prolific of goalscorers.Man Utd player ratings: Joshua Zirkzee hooked again as Lisandro Martinez saves Erik ten Hag’s blushes (2)So, United have to have been aware when they were watching the Dutch forward that he was not perhaps a traditional striker in the way that their fans may have expected. Zirkzee described himself as a “9.5” centre-forward, not one to play high all the time but instead dropping deeper to link play.Here Zrikzee drops deep and wins a duel before playing a quick driven pass forwardsHis ability to drop deep and link play was evident in games against Southampton and Crystal Palace, with his line-breaking passes and making the ball stick pivotal to the team’s play through the thirds. Having Zirkzee playing as the striker and dropping back towards the ball gives a strong platform to play forward and into thanks to him being comfortable receiving the ball with his back to goal and with a defender tight to his back.However, he also has the ability to take the ball and turn and dribble to outplay the opposition player to move into space.He is extremely skilful and comfortable in possession for such a strong forward player and as such when opposition defenders get tight to him he is always a threat to get turned and drive towards goal. In this Serie A example he receives wide with his back to goal dribbling past defenders and playing the ball into spaceAnd crucially, when he gets turned in these deeper positions he then has the quality to make forward passes to release teammates and bring others into the game.As a deep creator, Zirkzee offers a lot of creativity as well as the ability to receive and hold up the ball in deeper areas.Creating in the areaThe seven assists Zirkzee registered last season prove he was operating as a more creative forward option for Thiago Motta’s Bologna side.While we have already discussed his effectiveness when dropping deep to receive the ball and bringing others into the game, he can also perform the same function when receiving with his back to goal in the penalty area and creating opportunities for team-mates.This is a role that would actually fit well for this current United squad.They would effectively be able to use both Fernandes and Zirkzee as creative players with the ability to progress the ball from deep and then link with team-mates in and around the opposition penalty area to create shooting opportunities.The key for United, when they do choose to play Zirkzee as the main striker in their system, is to make sure they have enough players around him who can take shots on goal. We have already touched on the likes of Rashford and Garnacho in particular who are very strong in this regard.But Fernandes himself is also a high-shot volume player who can benefit from the creativity of Zirkzee in these positions.Indeed, the numbers show Fernandes is making the most of this by taking 3.06 shots per 90 minutes, with Zirkzee creating 1.29 chances with 6.04 touches in the opposition box per 90 in all competitionsHere he uses his frame to shield the ball before he is able to flick the ball behind him to play in a team-mate for a chance at goalHaving a target striker who is comfortable taking possession of the ball in higher positions will naturally allow United to concentrate their play higher up the field in areas where they can immediately create danger and put stress on the defences of the opposition.And United have the chance to create a system generates a lot of chances on goal – something the numbers are once again proving is happening.Ten Hag’s team have had 127 shot-creating actions in the league this season.This figure is more than Chelsea (112), Aston Villa (107), Newcastle (104) and Arsenal (92), but they have scored fewer goals. So what is going wrong in the final third?Here Zirkzee is unselfish and passes to a better-positioned team-mate following a low crossIn simple terms, they are not clinical. United have the second-worst Expected Goals underperformance with 4.5 fewer goals scored than an average team would have expected to score, while they also have the most big chances missed of any team in the division with 17.What about Bruno Fernandes?Talisman Fernandes is one of the main culprits of these wasted chances.The 30-year-old has so often been United’s saviour since joining, but he appears to have lost his cut-throat edge at the start of this season, with just 0.7 shots on target per 90 minutesThe main question is whether Ten Hag should start to use Zirkzee as more of a playmaker instead of relying on Fernandes as the main creator and ball progressor when they are in the attacking phase. The answer, however, should probably be that they use both. Fernandes is able to keep defenders guessing with his ability to shoot or create chances out of nothingThere are some teething issues at this stage in the season with United getting used to the fact Zirkzee likes to drop deep and at times occupy the same positions as Fernandes. While this does create an issue, it is something that should be easily fixed as the two players get used to playing together.They will both have to make compromises, and perhaps park their egos so that both can shine in the same team.Fernandes in particular will have to adapt the way he plays for United.With Zirkzee capable of staying higher and providing a platform United can play into, his role should work well with Fernandes when he plays deeper or pulls out into wide areas.This should also help to get the best out of the United wide players such as Rashford, Garnacho and Amad Diallo, who are more than capable of peeling off the shoulder with inverted runsHere we see how he drops deep to get on the ball before playing in Alejandro Garnacho who is making an inside runBy having two real creative forces in their team United have the capacity to become a team that can create chances and score goals on a regular basis. The key for Ten Hag and his coaching staff is to find a way to set the team up in such a way that he can get the best out of both players.ConclusionZirkzee’s signing has been a slow burner.But that is not to say elements of his game have not been impressive.READ MORE SUN STORIESRather, the team’s underperformance in front of goal reflects poorly on him as the striker.If United can create a structure to get the best out of Zirkzee and Fernandes – who must refind his scoring touch – then they may well challenge for Champions League qualification this summer.Man Utd player ratings vs FC TwenteMANCHESTER UNITED’S Europa League campaign got off to a less than ideal start with a miserable 1-1 draw against FC Twente at Old Trafford.That result dealt a big blow to their chances of finishing in the top eight and avoiding two extra fixtures.See how the players rated on an underwhelming night at Old Trafford.Andre Onana – 6Good save to push a free-kick from Sem Steijn to safety but might be disappointed to be beaten at the near post for Twente’s goal.Diogo Dalot – 6Early mistake near the corner flag could have been costly but he caused problems at the other end in build up to Christian Eriksen goal.Harry Maguire – 6Missed his tackle to put United on the back foot for the equaliser but almost won it late on with a header cleared off the line.Lisandro Martinez – 7Made several important clearances but one wild challenge on edge of his box could have proven costly.Noussair Mazraoui – 6New boy looks solid. Vital early tackle and another one later to stop Twente going in front.Christian Eriksen – 7Fourth successive start – and the veteran still looked sprightly. What a strike to give United the lead but then spoiled it with mistake for equaliser.Manuel Ugarte – 6A few good tackles from the new boy but might be disappointed not to clear his lines as Twente broke away for equaliser.Marcus Rashford – 8Much improved display in front of watching England interim boss Lee Carsley. Full of energy, a few tricks and a couple of dangerous crosses. More like his old self.Bruno Fernandes – 6Skipper had a hand in the opening goal and was so close to winning it with curler from the edge of the box.Amad Diallo – 6His pace was too much to handle for the visitors at times but not much of an end product this time and made way for Alejandro Garnacho midway through the second half.Joshua Zirkzee – 5A few good moments and forced a flying save from the visitors’ keeper after nice link up with Diogo Dalot – but then hooked for the fit-again Rasmus Hojlund.Find out how the Man Utd subs rated here More

THEY used to grace the pitch at Old Trafford many years ago – and they’re still playing today.These former Manchester United stars just refuse to retire.Edinson Cavani played for Man Utd between 2020-2022Uruguay legend Cavani now turns out for Boca Juniors in Argentina aged 37Credit: AFPMany played under Sir Alex Ferguson, including one who signed for the Red Devils all the way back in 2007.While another South American legend is still a top scorer in the Argentina league for Boca Juniors.SunSport has uncovered nine former stars we just can’t believe are still lacing up their boots.Edinson CavaniThe Uruguay legend is now 37, but he’s still going strong.Read more Man Utd newsCavani currently turns out for Argie giants Boca Juniors, where the goals continue to flow.In 2024, he managed 17 goals in 26 games for the club.At United, from 2020 to 2022, he scored 19 in 59.Radamel FalcaoAnother South American legend, Falcao is now 38.Most read in FootballHowever, that hasn’t stopped him from returning to his homeland to represent top tier side, Millonarios.Incredibly, he was playing in LaLiga last campaign for Raya Vallecano.The goals, though, have appeared to dry up – with just five in his last two seasons.He only managed four in 29 games for Utd though, to be fair.Radamel Falcao didn’t have his best years at Old TraffordCredit: PA:Empics SportNow, at 38, Falcao stars for Colombian side MillonariosCredit: GettySir Alex Ferguson booked me a flight home from my holiday and hauled me back to Man Utd – I hadn’t done anything wrongJavier HernandezChicharito, as he was affectionately known, was a Sir Alex signing in 2010.Unbelievably, he’s only 36 – we were convinced he was older than that.As is with heroes of this nature, a return to their homeland is a required expectation.Hernandez, who scored 59 across six seasons at United, now plays for Chivas in Mexico’s top division.The Little Pea is yet to find the back of the net this season, though.Chicharito was a fans’ favourite at Man Utd – scoring 59 goals for the clubCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdWith slightly less hair, Javier Hernandez plays for Chivas aged 36Credit: GettyFabioAlthough his twin brother Rafael hung up his boots following a series of serious injuries, Fabio is still going strong.The Brazilian, now only 34, stars back home for Gremio.He was signed by United all the way back in 2007, but struggled to hold down a place in the first team before spells with QPR, Cardiff and Middlesbrough.Before returning to Brazil, Fabio was an important player for Nantes in France.Fabio was signed by Man Utd all the way back in 2007Credit: News Group Newspapers LtdToday, his defensive skills are required at Gremio in his homelandCredit: GettyNaniAnother 2007 signing by Fergie, Nani has had an amazing career.Not only did he play on our shores, he’s had spells at clubs in Turkey, Spain, Italy, USA and Australia.Now 37, he’s put in his air miles and is playing in Portugal for Estrela Amadora.They play in Portugal’s top division, with Nani scoring once this season already in just four games.He also recently bought a fourth division team in his homeland and is also the godfather of one of England’s newest heroes.Nani’s goalscoring celebrations were seen at Old Trafford from the NoughtiesCredit: GettyNani loved to celebrate in style with a somersault, including against Bayern Munich in 2007Nani recently scored for CF Estrela da Amadora against BoavistaAdnan JanuzajHow is Januzaj only 29?The winger from Belgium exploded on to the scene under David Moyes when he was just 18.He left Old Trafford in 2017 following loans at Dortmund and Sunderland, enjoying his best years at Real Sociedad between 2017-2022 – scoring 23 times in 168 games.Januzaj is currently on loan at Las Palmas, and is owned by Sevilla. Adnan Januzaj was deemed a wonderkid at Old TraffordCredit: PA:Press AssociationJanuzaj is playing on loan at Las Palmas this seasonShinji KagawaSome 35 years old and still going strong, Kagawa plays in Japan for J1 League club Cerezo Osaka.Widely regarded as one of the best Asian players of his generation, he flattered to deceive at Man Utd between 2012-2014.However, it was at Borussia Dortmund where he was a true hero – enjoying two spells with the German giants.Kagawa also played for Turkish side Besiktas, Real Zaragoza in Spain, PAOK in Greece, and Sint-Truiden in Belgium. Shinji Kagawa never did hit the heights expected of him in ManchesterJapan icon Kagawa is still going strong at the age of 35read more sport featuresNemanja MaticConsidering pace was never a major part of his game, Matic still paying, at 36, is probably more believable than some on this list.The former Chelsea man’s employers are Lyon, where he is seen as an important first team player.Matic played 189 times for United from 2017-2022.He was a favourite of Jose Mourinho, who signed him for both United and Chelsea.Nemanja Matic was a favourite of Jose Mourinho, who signed him for Utd and ChelseaCredit: GettyProving age is just a number, Matic is now a first team player at Lyon aged 36Credit: RexJuan MataSpeaking of Mourinho, Spanish winger Juan Mata was sold to United in 2014 after falling out of favour with the Special One.He starred at United until 2022, reuniting with his former Portuguese manager at the club in 2016.READ MORE SUN STORIESMata, who gives some of his salary away to a charity he co-founded called Common Goal, has since played in Turkey and Japan in a distinguished career.Today, at 36, he was most recently unveiled by Aussie side Western Sydney Wanderers.Juan Mata starred at Man Utd until 2022Credit: Times Newspapers LtdBack in September, Western Sydney Wanderers unveiled Mata as their latest signingCredit: AFP More