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Joshua Zirkzee spoke for all Man Utd fans when he said recently that Luke Shaw staying fit this season has been a pleasant surprise, but it’s another teammate of his who made him go ‘wow’ this season.
Due to fewer games this season, Joshua Zirkzee has had to make do with a bench role, but his contribution as a dressing room presence is noticeable.
As a model professional, he can always be seen cheering for his teammates regardless of his own situation, which is a dream scenario for a manager.
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He has now given flowers to Luke Shaw for staying fit, but an equally big surprise for him this season is how another teammate of his has adapted to a new role.
Photo by Mike Morese/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesJoshua Zirkzee surprised by Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu
The upcoming summer will mark Zirkzee’s two years at Old Trafford, so he might be forgiven for getting caught off guard by Luke Shaw.
In Zirkzee’s first season, the 2024/25 season, Shaw barely stayed fit for any consistent period, ending the season with just seven league appearances totalling 348 minutes.
This season has been a complete departure from the previous one, as he has emerged as United’s iron man, playing the most minutes of any player in the league.
Speaking on the Inside Carrington podcast by Man Utd, Zirkzee admitted to being surprised by Shaw’s fitness this season after an injury-riddled campaign last year.
He said: “Luke had so many injuries last season. I didn’t play with him or see him day in and day out. I knew he was good, but then you see him every day [this season], and you realise that all the “Shawberto” stuff is true!
“Yeah, so I would say Luke [has surprised me this season].”
While Shaw deserves credit for managing his fitness, Zirkzee is equally surprised at how easily Patrick Dorgu has acclimatised himself to a new role.
Dorgu played as a left-winger under Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick after Ruben Amorim’s sacking, and was taking a leap before an injury stopped him in his tracks.
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Zirkzee said: “Dorgu before his injury [surprised me]. You knew he was good, but the way he popped off playing in a new role. It was like, ‘Wow, this kid is good.’”
Appearing on the podcast with Zirkzee, Bryan Mbeumo added that Zirkzee surprised him with the way he controls the ball and how skilful he is with it.
If the Omar Berrada rule doesn’t doom Zirkzee in the summer, then he will expect more chances to show those skills next season when United are back in four competitions.
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