Former Premier League forward Paolo Di Canio has taken aim at one of Manchester United’s summer signings after a difficult start to life at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils have endured their worst start to a Premier League campaign having earned just eight points from their opening seven matches.
Under-pressure boss Erik ten Hag has seen his side score just five goals in the top flight this campaign, with only Southampton finding the net less.
Ex-West Ham and Sheffield Wednesday forward Di Canio has criticised the club’s summer transfer business.
The footballer turned pundit believes the Red Devils made a mistake in signing forward Joshua Zirkzee for £36.5million for Bologna this summer.
Man United made a mistake in signing Joshua Zirkzee this summer claims Paolo Di Canio
Di Canio, the ex-West Ham striker, claims the forward was another ‘crazy choice’ by the club
The pundit believes Zirkzee is ‘too slow’ for the Premier League but suits Italian football
He has claimed the 23-year-old is ‘too slow’ for the Premier League and suggested the Dutchman should make a swift return to Serie A.
Read More
Paolo Di Canio says he would ‘ARREST all of Man United’s directors’ over major summer transfer call
‘I would loan Zirkzee from Manchester United, Di Canio told Tuttosport. ‘They’ve been making crazy choices for several years and none of them are working, not even Zirkzee who’s a bit too slow for the Premier League.
‘Perhaps he’ll prove me wrong with goals and great performances, but in England, they attack you straight away and whistle 30 per cent fewer fouls.
‘In Italy, we saw his impact on Bologna. In the end, amidst the confusion at United, they could even loan him out. They already have [Rasmus] Hojlund, and then there’s Rashford who can play as a striker.
‘He’d be the perfect profile for Juventus, also because it would allow [Thiago] Motta to have a striker with different characteristics to [Dusan] Vlahovic. Zirkzee isn’t a devastating scorer, he’s not someone who can score 25 goals, but he helps others play well.’
Zirkzee had enjoyed a successful season at Bologna last year, scoring 12 goals and providing seven assists in 37 appearances in all competitions.
His efforts helped Bologna qualify for the Champions League under Motta, who has since become the manager of Juventus.
Zirkzee had made a positive start to life at Man United, scoring a late debut winner against Fulham on the opening day of the season.
Zirkzee scored on his Man United debut but is yet to find the target for the Red Devils since
Di Canio suggested he should be loaned to Juventus, led by his former boss Thiago Motta
The forward has yet to find the net since as the Red Devils’ goalscoring issues continue.
It is not the first time Di Canio has taken aim at Man United’s summer transfer activity.
Earlier this month he claimed he would ‘arrest all the directors’ at the club over their decision to sell Scott McTominay to Napoli for £26m.
McTominay has made a bright start to life in Serie A, with Napoli topping the table after seven matches.
