Man United were ‘exploring a £25.3m alternative to Joshua Zirkzee right up until the moment he signed’ – after Sir Jim Ratcliffe ‘was left frustrated by the speed of recruitment before the FA Cup final’
- Joshua Zirkzee was one of five signings for Man United’s first team this summer
- The Red Devils investigated a cheaper alternative until he arrived
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Manchester United brought in five first-team players during the summer transfer window, but it was no walk in the park.
Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee was the first to arrive on July 14, with defender Leny Yoro joining from Lille four days later.
In August, United added three more new players, namely defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui who were signed from Bayern Munich. On the final day, the deal for former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte was finally completed.
INEOS CEO Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who took charge of sporting operations at Old Trafford after acquiring a minority stake in United in February, was keen to do business earlier in the summer.
According to ESPNRatcliffe vented his frustration at a staff meeting just before the FA Cup final on 25 May, complaining that United’s recruitment efforts were not yet ‘running at full speed’.
Joshua Zirkzee (left) and Matthijs de Ligt (right) both joined Manchester United this summer
United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe pictured at last season’s FA Cup final at Wembley in May
Part of the delay is said to be due to the problems United experienced with the transfer of sporting director Dan Ashworth from Newcastle.
According to ESPN’s report, several agents were left in limbo early this summer after United told them, “We are awaiting feedback from INEOS.”
Signing a new centre-back and a striker were United’s top priorities.
Before signing Zirkzee, United were also linked with Brentford’s Ivan Toney and Lille striker Jonathan David.
While Toney was deemed too expensive, ESPN reports that United explored a deal for David, which would have cost around £25.3million, until the Zirkzee deal was completed.
United paid Bologna £36.5million for Zirkzee, who scored on his Premier League debut in the 1-0 win over Fulham on the opening day of the season.
Zirkzee scored his first goal for United on his Premier League debut in a 1-0 win over Fulham
United manager Erik ten Hag pictured with his arm around Zirkzee after that 1-0 victory
Canadian international David stayed with Lille this summer despite foreign interest in him.
The 24-year-old has scored 87 goals in 189 games for the French club.
