Lots of Red Devils supporters will be looking forward to the Joshua Zirkzee Man Utd debut, where they will have a first glimpse of the Netherlands international striker in a red shirt.
Zirkzee signed from Serie A side Bologna for a reported transfer fee of just over £35m, after the 23-year-old managed to score 12 goals and make a further seven assists in 37 appearances in total over all competitions last season, helping them qualify for the UEFA Champions League in the process.
Zirkzee has been brought in to compete with Rasmus Hojlund up front at Old Trafford, and it will be interesting to see if manager Erik ten Hag will try and play them together.
Nonetheless, we explore how and when the Dutchman could make his debut for the club, and it will no doubt be interesting to see which reported Manchester United transfer targets could follow him through the door.
Joshua Zirkzee Man Utd debut: How and when Dutchman can get off to a flyer
Zirkzee could make his full competitive debut for Man Utd in the FA Community Shield against bitter rivals Manchester City, which is set to be played on Saturday 10 August at 3pm at Wembley Stadium.
It is perhaps the most difficult debut Zirkzee could have on paper, as Man Utd are playing for silverware against one of the best teams in the world, who just so happen to be their arch-rivals as well. Nonetheless, he may relish the opportunity to be the hero at Wembley.
Ten Hag may opt to deploy Zirkzee from the bench and start Hojlund instead, who is more settled into the team. The Dutch manager tends to play just one up front, and very rarely starts with two strikers.
That is not to say that Zirkzee could not do damage from off the bench, though. His physicality and height could help Man Utd in both boxes. At six-foot-three inches tall, he will relish the aerial battle against the much smaller Lisandro Martinez, who should start if fit.
Nonetheless, it is important that Zirkzee gets off to a good start for his confidence, and that Man Utd themselves have some momentum going into the new Premier League season.
Indeed, the Red Devils endured their worst-ever campaign in the English top flight in 2023/24, finishing in eighth place and with a negative goal difference, and so any poor run of results or form at the start will be met with immediate scrutiny.
