Manchester United were looking at alternative signings to Joshua Zirkzee until the last moment, a report has claimed.<\/strong><\/p>\n Zirkzee <\/a>became the first signing of the INEOS era at Old Trafford when he moved from Serie A side Bologna in a \u00a336million deal.<\/a><\/p>\n 1<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> The 23-year-old forward enjoyed a productive 2023\/24 season with Bologna as his 11 goals and four assists from 34 appearances helped the club qualify for this season’s Champions League.<\/p>\n Zirkzee filled the gap in United’s attacking stocks left by Anthony Martial<\/a>, who left the Red Devils as a free agent after nine years of service.<\/p>\n According to ESPN,<\/a> Zirkzee was United’s primary choice to replace Martial, but they had two contingency plans ready in case a deal failed to materialise.<\/p>\n The report details how United’s new-look transfer committee of sporting director Dan Ashworth<\/a>, technical director Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada would juggle multiple deals rather than complete one after the other.<\/p>\n Along with the pursuit of Zirkzee, United reportedly placed former Brentford star Ivan Toney<\/a> and Lille’s Jonathan David on their transfer wish list.<\/p>\n However, the trio elected not to pursue a deal for Toney as they decided it was too costly.<\/p>\n The 28-year-old would later move from the Bees to Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli for \u00a340m,<\/a> with his contract worth an eye-watering \u00a350m.<\/p>\n Although Zirzkee remained the priority, the report states a deal for David, who would have set United back an estimated \u00a325.3m, was still active until the moment the Red Devils shook hands with Bologna.<\/p>\n David ultimately did not leave Lille in the summer despite being constant rumours about an exit.<\/p>\n As for Zirkzee, he got his United career off to a good start as he scored the winner in the club’s season opener against Fulham.<\/p>\n He produced a deft touch to turn home Alejandro Garnacho’s cross in what proved to the only goal of the game.<\/p>\n However, Zirkzee struggled in his first start up top for the Red Devils as they lost 3-0 to Liverpool.<\/p>\n He also had the misfortune of preventing a goal for United against Brighton when he touched Garnacho’s goal-bound strike from an offside position.<\/p>\n It proved to be a damaging blow<\/a> as the Seagulls secured a late winner to beat United 2-1.<\/p>\n Zirkzee did manage to find the back of the net while on international duty as he scored in the Netherlands’ first in a 5-2 rout of Bosnia in the Nations League.<\/p>\n The 23-year-old will look to continue his goalscoring run when he returns to Premier League action with United on Saturday as they travel to Southampton.<\/p>\n Have your say on all things talkSPORT by joining \u2018The DUGOUT\u2019 <\/a>\u2013 our new listener panel.<\/p>\n We’re all about diving deep into your perspectives, and making sure talkSPORT is the absolute best it can be. Your voice matters, and we want to hear it!<\/p>\n Pitch your game-changing ideas, and join in with fun surveys, polls, and locker-room discussions.<\/p>\n Just by joining, you’ll enter a prize draw to win one of four \u00a350 Amazon vouchers, with another prize draw entry for every survey you complete after that<\/p>\n To join the \u2018The DUGOUT\u2019 panel, please click here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nJOIN THE DUGOUT<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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