Ayden Heaven sends one-word message to Joshua Zirkzee after Man United development
Ayden Heaven has sent a message to his Man United striker Joshua Zirkzee following their Europa League win over Real Sociedad.
Following his move from Bologna back in the summer transfer window, the attacker had endured a difficult start to life at Old Trafford.
Zirkzee was even jeered off by Man United fans when he was substituted after just half an hour of the defeat at home to Newcastle back in December.
However, the Dutchman is enjoying something of an upturn in form with the Red Devils, which continued in that latest Europa League outing on Thursday night (13 March).
Joshua Zirkzee hailed for Europa League performance
After Ruben Amorim’s side were held to a 1-1 draw in the first leg the previous week, they secured a place in the quarter finals of that competition earlier this week.
Zirkzee produced an impressive performance as Man United won 4-1 on the night against Sociedad, to secure a 5-2 win on aggregate.
| Joshua Zirkzee vs Real Sociedad | Total (as per SofaScore) |
| Shots on Target | 2 |
| Shots off Target | 1 |
| Big Chances Missed | 1 |
| Successful Dribbles | 4/5 |
| Successful Passes | 20/24 |
| Successful Duels | 6/9 |
It was also a significant game for Heaven, as the 18-year-old made his first senior start, and delivered another solid performance, as he had previously done from the bench.
Zirkzee had also praised Heaven for his efforts in that match, and the centre-back has also returned to the favour here.
As Zirkzee posted an image from that win on his Instagram page, the Man United centre-back was among those to respond, with the teenager commenting on that post by simply writing: “player”.
Man United will be delighted with Joshua Zirkzee resurgence
Football Insider Verdict
Given their financial situation, the fee they invested in Zirkzee will be seen as a significant one for the Red Devils.
As a result, Man United will be hugely relieved to see that there are more promising signs that they could get some return on that.
After a quiet start to life at Old Trafford, the attacker is now looking much more like a player who can make things happen for his team.
His confidence will have been knocked in the early months of his time there, but the backing he is now receiving will help to turn that around.
Man United will of course still want more goals from Zirkzee, but if things continue to move in the direction they are, there will be a growing belief that will eventually come.