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Manchester United’s pursuit of Joshua Zirkzee comes with a stark warning from a former Serie A superstar who faced similar challenges at Old Trafford. The 21-year-old striker, who has a £34 million release clause, is edging closer to a move to the Red Devils, 23 years after Juan Sebastian Veron’s record-breaking transfer from Lazio.
Veron, regarded as one of the best midfielders in world football, joined Manchester United in 2001 for a British record fee of £28.1 million. Speaking at the Argentine’s unveiling, Sir Alex Ferguson expressed his belief that Veron would be the missing piece in his team’s puzzle. However, Veron’s time in England was marked by struggles to adapt to the demands of the Premier League.
“He (Ferguson) was so demanding with everybody. If you couldn’t keep up, it was clear you would have to look elsewhere.”
Nicky Butt, a Manchester United stalwart, even admitted that Veron’s inspired display in a 4-1 win over Everton early in his Red Devils’ career made him fear for his own future at the club. Veron’s first season at Old Trafford was a success, with the midfielder contributing 5 goals and 6 assists in 40 games. However, his performances declined in the second half of the following campaign, leading to his departure to Chelsea for £15 million after just two years with the club.
Reflecting on his time in England, Veron acknowledged the challenges he faced, stating, “He (Ferguson) was so demanding with everybody. If you couldn’t keep up, it was clear you would have to look elsewhere.” The former Serie A star also admitted that he couldn’t consistently deliver what Ferguson expected from him at Old Trafford.
As Zirkzee prepares to follow in Veron’s footsteps, Erik ten Hag will need to ensure the young striker is able to adapt to the rigors of the Premier League. The lesson from Veron’s struggles serves as a stark warning for the Dutch manager and the Manchester United hierarchy as they look to bolster their attacking options.
🔗 Source