Manchester United’s struggles this season have led to heavy criticism of the club’s recruitment, with fans questioning their £200 million spending spree. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, however, remains confident that Joshua Zirkzee, one of the most scrutinized signings, will eventually find his form.
United are enduring one of their worst seasons, currently sitting in 14th place, with their only hope of European qualification through the Europa League. This has added pressure on Ratcliffe and INEOS, who recently completed a minority takeover and have faced backlash for their transfer decisions.
Zirkzee arrived from Bologna for £36 million but has failed to make an impact, scoring just six goals in 42 appearances. His struggles even led to his omission from the latest Netherlands squad, raising questions about his long-term future at Old Trafford.
Despite his difficulties, Ratcliffe remains optimistic, pointing out that adapting to the Premier League takes time. He highlighted how Zirkzee struggled with the league’s physicality in United’s 1-1 draw against Arsenal but insisted the young forward would improve with experience.
Some reports have speculated that Zirkzee could return to Serie A, but Ratcliffe dismissed those rumors. He emphasized that the club needs patience and that their summer recruitment was rushed due to the limited time available for INEOS to prepare.
United’s chaotic summer saw over £200 million spent on signings like Matthijs de Ligt, Manuel Ugarte, and Patrick Dorgu. Ratcliffe admitted that former manager Erik ten Hag had some influence over transfers, particularly in acquiring Dutch players, despite not making final decisions.
Ratcliffe also acknowledged that he made a mistake by not sacking Ten Hag earlier, despite initially backing him with a new contract. The Dutch manager was eventually dismissed in October after a disappointing start to the season.
As United navigate a turbulent campaign, Ratcliffe’s belief in Zirkzee’s potential remains firm. Whether the young striker can prove himself and justify his price tag will be crucial as the club aims to rebuild under INEOS’ leadership.