Gullit: ‘Zirkzee should have joined Milan’ not Man United | OneFootball

Milan legend Ruud Gullit says his compatriot Joshua Zirkzee should have joined the Rossoneri instead of Manchester United: ‘He knew Serie A…’

Dutch striker Zirkzee left Bologna last summer to move to Old Trafford.

Even if he scored on his competitive debut for the Red Devils in August, the 23-year-old still has just one goal in nine appearances with his new club.

“Zirkzee should have joined Milan rather than Manchester United,” Gullit told Gazzetta.

“He knew Serie A and a couple extra seasons in this competition at a top club like Milan would have been ideal for his development. Now, he’s in a club with many problems, which is not making his growth easy.”

Milan held talks with Zirkzee and were ready to pay his €40m clause but failed to reach an agreement over the agent’s commission.

“I hope Zirkzee can turn it around, even if needing some time to settle in is natural,” insisted Gullit.

Gullit: ‘Zirkzee should have joined Milan’ not Man United

“He’s undoubtedly a good player, but it’s hard to do well at Man United in this historical moment.”

Zirkzee compatriot Koopmeiners, on the other hand, opted to stay in Serie A, joining Juventus from Atalanta, despite interest from foreign clubs.

“It was a significant step forward for him, which he deserved after these seasons at Atalanta,” said Gullit.

“He’s a total midfielder. He knows how to do everything. I read that he had offers from abroad but he made the right decision by remaining in Italy at a club where he could further improve. My only regret is that if he had been at the Euros, the Netherlands would have reached the final, and then, who knows?”

Another Dutch midfielder, Tijjani Reijnders is becoming a leader at Milan.

“I saw him a few years ago on the AZ Alkmaar second team, and his quality was clear, even if I wasn’t sure he’d become the player he is today,” admitted Gullit.

“He improved so much in personality last season and played fantastically at the Euros with the Netherlands. He’s a pivotal element to Milan and the national team.”

Is the Milan team good enough to win the title this season?

“I think so, but that being said, it’s not fair to put pressure on a group that has changed two-thirds of the team and the coach in the last two seasons,” noted Gullit.

“Fonseca has an ambitious playing style. You can reach specific results only if you play well; this is what he’s trying to do. It takes time to pass on your ideas to the team, but I think they are on the right path now.”

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has become an advisor for Milan owners RedBird and is having a big influence in the club’s decisions. Gullit seems to appreciate the work that the ex-Sweden striker is doing.

“Yeah, so much. I’ve known him since he was young. He was a unique player and is now a unique human being,” said the 1987 Ballon d’Or winner.

“He’s unconventional in how he communicates, but surely, his attitude takes pressure away from the team. Nothing he does is a coincidence; his press conferences are never dull.

“Surely, football needs him, and we’d need more people like Ibrahimovic, especially because he is competent and recognises talent at first glance. I am convinced he’ll do a great job at Milan. He always wanted to win as a footballer, and I don’t think his mentality has changed.”