"They ain't ready for you": Bruno Fernandes sends message to £36.5m star after training update

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has sent a message to Joshua Zirkzee following the Dutchman’s return to pre-season training.

The Red Devils had a dismal 2024/25 campaign in the Premier League. They accumulated only 42 points, finishing a lowly 15th in the standings.

Zirkzee was signed to bolster the attack from Bologna for £36.5 million last summer, but he struggled to adapt with just three goals and two assists from 32 league outings.

The Netherlands international will be keen to redeem himself next season. Fernandes predicted back in May that he anticipates the 24-year-old to step up.

Zirkzee recently posted an Instagram update from pre-season training. Fernandes was one of those to comment, he replied: ‘My man they ain’t ready for you’.

The Bayern Munich graduate joined the Red Devils after a promising season at Bologna. He had a perfect start to his career, scoring a late winner off the bench against Fulham at Old Trafford.

However, things went pear-shaped for him thereafter. He failed to adapt to the higher intensity and physicality of the league and was jeered off by some fans against Newcastle United in December.

The 24-year-old showed signs of improvement towards the end of the campaign. Zirkzee was tried in an attacking midfield role where he was much better with some clever distribution.

He still has plenty to work on and needs to prove his credentials from pre-season training.

United have already signed Matheus Cunha to bolster the attack. They are in advanced negotiations with Brentford to secure the signature of Bryan Mbeumo. A new striker could be signed too.

Hence, Zirkzee needs a strong pre-season under his belt to convince manager Ruben Amorim that he is worthy of a starting role when the club start the campaign against Arsenal in August.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

Article written by Sri Aswin .