Zirkzee's magic solo strike revives Berbatov memories at Old Trafford

Joshua Zirkzee, the 25‑year‑old Nederlander, delivered a spectacular solo goal for Manchester United that instantly reminded observers of Dimitar Berbatov’s classic moments, a striking parallel highlighted in England after United’s 5‑0 friendly triumph over Rosenborg.

Manchester United won Friday evening with a comfortable 5‑0 scoreline against Rosenborg in Trondheim, confirming the English side’s dominance in the pre‑season fixture.

Zirkzee’s goal was a solo effort in which he out‑witted two Noorse defenders and the goalkeeper, weaving past them before slotting home the finish, a moment described as a "magical" strike.

The praised Zirkzee, writing, "Despite all criticism, Zirkzee possesses ball control and creativity that many players lack. He must simply produce decisive actions more often against stronger teams. Perhaps he still has a future at Old Trafford."

The Sun added that Zirkzee, benefiting from the absence of Sesko, kept his promise to fight for his place, rating him an eight and noting his combination with Mbeumo, his preparation of Lacey’s opening goal, and the "crazy solo goal" that saw him beat two defenders and the keeper with feints.

echoed the sentiment, calling Zirkzee the unofficial man of the match and noting that the number 11, since joining United in 2024, has shown flashes of technical quality that invite comparisons with Dimitar Berbatov.

Berbatov’s own recollection of a past United goal was described as "simply breathtaking" and "a moment of magic," with the media suggesting some supporters might argue for a more prominent role for Zirkzee next season, though doubts remain.

The future of Zirkzee will dominate conversation in the coming weeks; after attracting interest from Serie A clubs last winter, he chose to stay and pursue his chance at Old Trafford, keeping his ambitions firmly focused on the English capital.