'The No.9 is free' - Manchester United set for shirt number changes after Joshua Zirkzee comment

Joshua Zirkzee is relaxed about which Manchester United shirt number he is given for the 2024/25 season and expects striker Rasmus Hojlund to take the No.9.

Zirkzee's move to Manchester from Italy was confirmed for €42.5million last weekend and the striker is expected to join up with the squad in early August after a summer break.

The 23-year-old earned a late call-up to the Netherlands squad for Euro 2024 and his nation reached the semi-finals of the tournament, hence why he'll link up at a later date.

United prioritised strengthening their attacking options in this summer transfer window and Zirkzee, who finished last season as Bolgona's top goalscorer with league 11 goals, was identified as someone who could add quality to the attack and compete with Hojlund to start.

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Zirkzee's first interview with club media was released on Wednesday afternoon and the player has also spoken to Dutch YouTube show Matchday since signing.

When discussing his transfer to United, Zirkzee said conversations intensified while he was in Germany for Euro 2024: "I had a conversation in Wolfsburg. My father was there too because he is there for everything. After that conversation, I immediately had a good feeling.

"Then the choice was actually already made. The European Championship was number one anyway, United also thought that was important. That was where the focus had to be. So that was doable."

Zirkzee's shirt number hasn't been confirmed by United, but he is an incredibly laidback character and admitted he is relaxed about which number he's given in the new season.

Anthony Martial