Capello slams the Man Utd star after he was asked the Liverpool vs. Aston Villa question

Former England boss Fabio Capello believes Joshua Zirkzee, who joined Man Utd this summer, has been shocked by the speed of the game in the Premier League.

The Red Devils signed five players during the summer transfer window in INEOS’ first since taking control of football operations, with Zirkzee as their main striker.

The Dutch international signed a deal from Bologna worth a reported £36.5 million Man Utd I wanted to offer Rasmus Hojlund some support up front.

Zirkzee has struggled to get to grips with life at Old Trafford, with the Dutchman scoring just one goal and one assist in 12 games this season.

The former Dutch Bologna international played against Liverpool and Aston Villa in the Champions League this season, while AC Milan also faced Arne Slot this season.

The Premier League side have come out on top on every occasion and former England manager Capello believes the Italian side are suffering from a similar problem to Man Utd striker Zirkzee.

The Italian told me La Gazzetta dello Sport: “After Bologna’s defeat at Aston Villa, I asked (Bologna manager) Italiano (Vincenzo) what impression he had of the two English teams he faced directly, Aston Villa and Liverpool.”

Capello added: “They run, they go faster, they have a different pace.

“Go and see Zirkzee play in the Premier League and tell me if he looks like the same player we admired in Bologna.

“In Italy he did what he wanted, in England he doesn’t even have time to think about the game before the ball is stolen from him. More or less the same thing happens with our teams.”

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Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag, who is already under pressure because of the results this season, is still backing Zirkzee to look good in a Red Devils shirt.

Ten Hag said in September: “Yes, I do (think he can become a prolific goalscorer for United).

‘Of course, he’s young. We see his great capabilities. He is a very good link player, as you say, he is creative.

“He creates chances, but be honest, he also has his moments towards the opposition goal.

“I think it was a great move he had (against FC Twente) and a great finish he had, a top save from the keeper, but he can definitely improve in that area.

“We know he has some very good qualities, and he needs to improve, and he needs our support to improve.”