Joshua Zirkzee aiming to become Man Utd's new Zlatan Ibrahimovic as £36m forward insists he 'will be fine' at Old Trafford despite 'shameful' performance against Liverpool

Zirkzee has revealed that he is aiming to emulate the playing style of Ibrahimovic at United, as he bids to become the reliable No.9 they have long required. The Dutchman scored on his debut for the club against Fulham and was also on target on his full international debut for the Netherlands against Bosnia and Herzegovina last week.

Zirkzee has not scored since his debut for United, though, and endured what he has described as a "shameful" performance against Liverpool, as the Red Devils lost 3-0. But he has set his sights on becoming an elite striker at Old Trafford; just as Ibrahimovic was in his short stint at the club. The Swede scored 29 goals and bagged 10 assists in just 53 games for the club between 2016-17.

Zirkzee said, per the Mirror: “I would love it if, in a few years’ time, people said that my game looks a bit like Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The start, with the winning goal against Fulham, was nice. Then we lost twice - and you know that at a big club like Manchester United the attention then comes full on.

“I believe it will be fine. I've always had that. I never doubted it would still work out with my career. As a player, you gradually discover what you need to do to get to the top level and what you must cut out.

“The defeat against Liverpool was shameful. But when I see the team training, I do think we are on the right track. I missed chances against Liverpool. Did I get into the right position? Yes, but what is the point when the ball does not end up in the net?

“I had really good talks with Erik ten Hag. It's unfortunate that the start was disappointing, but we know what we need to work on. Yes, it is about adjusting. Whether it is also tougher than Serie A? Yes, it could be. At Bologna, we had ball possession very often. In England, I feel the game undulates much more. It’s up and down and indeed different.”

United - who secured a much-needed 3-0 win at Southampton on Saturday - start their League Cup campaign against Barnsley in midweek. They then face Crystal Palace in the Premier League at Selhurst Park next weekend.