New Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee has praised the influence of Vincent Kompany on his career.
The Dutch striker recently joined United in a €42.5 million (£35.8/$45.6m) deal from Bologna and is gearing up for his first season at Old Trafford.
Zirkzee, who scored 12 goals for Bologna last season, is set to compete with Rasmus Hojlund for the starting striker position.
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What was Kompany's key role in Zirkzee's development?
Reflecting on his career, Zirkzee highlighted the pivotal role Kompany played during his loan spell at Anderlecht in the 2021/22 season. Zirkzee told The Mirror:
“Kompany was the coach who explained so much to me about the game and the small details. That year under him was very important for my development - and he also made sure I played all the time."
Under Kompany's guidance, Zirkzee felt he made significant strides in his game. He admitted that his time at Bayern Munich was different, as he was too awestruck to perform at his best. Zirkzee's experience at Anderlecht helped him mature and understand what it takes to succeed at the top level. He said:
"At Bayern, I wasn't that player. There I was too much in awe. I should have believed in myself more. Back then I thought I was okay, but now I have a different mentality. I thought I was good enough to become Bayern's first striker right away, but I wasn't ready for that at all. It was very good that I took a step back to find out what it really takes to succeed at the top.”
As Zirkzee prepares for his first season with Manchester United, fans are eager to see how his journey, shaped by Kompany's mentorship, will unfold at Old Trafford.
