The Netherlands international has completed his transfer from Bologna and will link up with the squad after his summer break.

Capable of playing anywhere across the forward line, Zirkzee will hopefully provide a major contribution to our 2024/25 campaign and also help bring out the best from his fellow attackers.

This is what the manager expects once the 23-year-old is welcomed into the fold.

“He is a player who can link up the game,” Ten Hag told newspaper reporters in Norway after the opening pre-season fixture against Rosenborg. “Who can be available, hold up the ball, have good ideas, be creative, can dribble, and [make] combinations.

“So that’s a different type and always what we are looking for, so it gives us more options tactically, which is good because, especially up front, we have many players who can play very direct and they can take a big benefit from his skills.”

The boss hinted Zirkzee may not be the only addition to his squad during the window, with strength and depth required to cope with the demands at home and abroad across the campaign.

With the Reds qualifying for the Europa League and winning the Emirates FA Cup, the new format of the competition will provide a test.

“I think we showed we can beat the best team in the world on the last occasion of the season,” explained Erik. “So when everyone is fit, we already have a good team and achieve a high level.

“But also, we know, in depth, we need more players. Especially this season, again, more games, the new model, the new format of Europe—you’ll have more games in a season, more intense games, no winter break, a January that’s very condensed.

“You need squad depth. Then it’s more and more about survival of the fittest.”