Erik ten Hag believes that Manchester United’s summer acquisition, Joshua Zirkzee, has the potential to become a prolific scorer, even though he hasn’t found the net in his last six matches.

The £42 million forward made a promising start by scoring on his debut against Fulham, but has struggled to find the net since. Manager Erik Ten Hag identifies the primary issue for his underperforming squad as a lack of scoring.

He stated, “Not scoring goals enough, that is the problem,” highlighting that Manchester United has managed only five goals in their last five Premier League matches and just one in the Europa League this season.

Zirkzee, who netted 11 times for Bologna last season, has impressed Ten Hag with various aspects of his game. The manager believes the 23-year-old has the potential to become a prolific scorer. He commented, “Yes, I do,” regarding Zirkzee’s capabilities.

Noting his youth, Ten Hag praised Zirkzee as a strong link-up player and a creative presence who creates opportunities. However, he acknowledged that Zirkzee needs to enhance his finishing skills, citing a missed chance against FC Twente that was saved brilliantly by the goalkeeper.

Ten Hag reiterated that while Zirkzee possesses valuable attributes, there are areas for improvement, and the team will support him in his development.

After a disappointing draw with FC Twente, Ten Hag emphasized the importance of determination in every match.

He admitted that complacency contributed to the team’s lackluster performance, as noted by goalscorer Christian Eriksen, who mentioned that FC Twente displayed greater desire.

Ten Hag stressed that in high-stakes football, the most successful teams are those that exhibit the most hunger for victory.

He elaborated on the psychological aspects of the game, explaining that throughout a long season with numerous matches, there will inevitably be games where performance does not meet expectations.

However, it is crucial to maintain a competitive spirit. “The team that manages this hunger best is often the most successful,” he asserted. Ten Hag insists on fostering an environment where every player holds themselves accountable to be hungrier than their opponents, underscoring the need for consistency in this mindset.

He concluded that successful teams consistently demonstrate this drive, which is a fundamental part of their ambition.