New signing Joshua Zirkzee is 'confident' in Erik ten Hag and Ineos' plan to put Man United back on top as he opens up on 'rollercoaster few weeks' prior to £36.5m switch

Joshua Zirkzee dismissed the idea that giving up Champions League football to join Manchester United was a tough decision, insisting that he has total faith in Erik ten Hag's plan to get the club back on top.

United finished eighth in the Premier League last season, their worst finish in the top flight since 1989-90.

But with new coaches in his stable and fresh backing from minority owners Ineos, there is hope that Ten Hag and his players can take a big step forward in 2024-25.

'I have a lot of trust and a good feeling about this step,' Zirkzee, who has joined from Bologna for £36.5million, told club media in his first interview. 

'It wasn't a difficult decision. I mean, I love Bologna a lot, but Manchester United just gave me a very, very good feeling.

'I'm confident that what's planned will also happen.'

Zirkzee has been away with the Netherlands at the European Championships and will now go on a short break before joining up with his new team-mates. 

'It's been a rollercoaster, the past few weeks,' United's newest forward said. 

'Some very good experiences and I'm very happy to be here. Obviously, making a transfer to Manchester United is something very positive.

'I just can't wait to get started and continue what I basically did last season. I'm just hoping to improve every day and do the best I can.'

With Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake joining as coaches, alongside Ten Hag, Zirkzee won't be short of Dutch voices to help him settle into his new home.

Although adapting to life in England is not something that is worrying him.

'Having some, some Dutch people around obviously makes it a bit easier,' he said. 

'To be fair, I'm an easy-going person. I'm not too difficult with, adapting, so... but, yeah, it's always nice, to have them around.'

The chance to work with Ten Hag appealed to Zirkzee, who looks set to compete for minutes in attack with last season's top scorer, Rasmus Hojlund. 

'It's an extra privilege [to work with Ten Hag], of course because he's Dutch,' Zirkzee said. 

'I'm Dutch as well. But I think, besides that, it's obviously not the only reason why I came here. I mean, Manchester United is a great, huge club. So it's is just an extra, privilege and benefit for me.'

Speaking of his latest summer signing following a 1-0 defeat to Rosenborg to start pre-season, Ten Hag spoke glowingly about his newest recruit.

'He is a player who can link up the game,' Ten Hag said. 'Who can be available, hold up the ball, have good ideas, be creative, can dribble, [make] combinations.

'So that's a different type and always what we are looking for, so it gives us more options tactically, which is good because, especially up front, we have many players who can play very direct and they can take a big benefit from his skills.'