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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Zirkzee failed to fire at Man Utd</li><li>Backed to be "superstar" next season</li><li>Described as a "real baller" by ex-United star</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'Real baller' Joshua Zirkzee backed to become a Man Utd 'superstar' next season despite struggles for form and fitness in 2024-25

Premier League

Manchester United

Aston Villa

<p>The 23-year-old swapped Bologna for United last summer in a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/joshua-zirkzee-man-utd-bologna-gbp36m-transfer-old-trafford-ineos/blt7ea32762eb03c836" target="_blank">£36 million ($46m)</a> deal but he has scored just seven goals in 48 games since then. However, club legend Lee Sharpe has described him as a "real baller" and someone who can come good next term. </p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>The former United star told <a href="https://metro.co.uk/2025/05/21/man-utd-flop-tipped-become-a-superstar-ruben-amorim-next-season-hes-a-baller-23119789/" target="_blank">The Metro</a>: "I like Zirkzee – he was unfortunate to get injured when he did, but he’s a real baller and I think he can be a superstar for Manchester United if he can get games under his belt. He needs a regular run. I don’t think he’s had a 10-game stint where he has actually played week in, week out. There were reports that he wasn’t quite fit when he signed, so it took him a bit of time to get up to speed. I think he was just finding his feet when he got injured but I think he’s going to prove a real key player next season."</p>

WHAT SHARP SAID

<p>Despite this praise, Zirkzee has, arguably, been one of the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/top-10-most-disappointing-premier-league-signings-2024-25-season/bltd223fe554dacfaa1" target="_blank">most disappointing signings </a>made in the Premier League this season. His goal return is poor, and the Dutchman has already been linked with a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/joshua-zirkee-inter-loan-option-struggling-man-utd-forward/bltd051e6f8c289d949" target="_blank">Serie A switch</a>. Injuries have curtailed his game time recently but it remains to be seen if United will cash in or give him another chance.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Zirkzee is <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/man-utd-handed-triple-injury-boost-joshua-zirkzee-leny-yoro-and-diogo-dalot-all-return-to-training-ahead-europa-league-final-tottenham/blt8182c28db1248c41" target="_blank">back in training</a> ahead of United's Europa League final clash against Tottenham on Wednesday but it is up in the air over what role he will play in the contest.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

'Real baller' Joshua Zirkzee backed to become a Man Utd 'superstar' next season despite struggles for form and fitness in 2024-25 | Goal.com

Joshua Zirkzee has been backed to become a &quot;superstar&quot; at Manchester United despite an underwhelming first season at Old Trafford.

&apos;Real baller&apos; Joshua Zirkzee backed to become a Man Utd &apos;superstar&apos; next season despite struggles for form and fitness in 2024-25

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