🚨Joshua Zirkzee on the conversation with Youri Tielemans that made him reject Everton on deadline day:
🎙️ Reporter: “Joshua, what happened when Everton made the approach?”
🗣️ Joshua Zirkzee: “I was in the lobby on my phone with Youri, just having a normal conversation, when my agent called me and said Everton had submitted a bid to Manchester United.
“He asked me if I was happy to go. At first I said, ‘Yeah, sure, go ahead.’ Then I ended the call and Youri asked me what it was about.
“I told him Everton had made an offer for me and I had accepted. He looked at me and said, ‘You accepted?’
“I said, ‘I’m still thinking about it.’
“Then Youri became very direct. He said, ‘What is there to think about? I left Aston Villa after we won the Europa League and played the Super Cup final to come here. That should tell you there are bigger things to achieve at Manchester United. So what is the big thing you want to achieve by moving to Everton?’
“That question stayed in my head. I didn’t have an answer.
“I picked up my phone, called my agent and told him to stop the move. Then I went straight to Carrick and told him, ‘I want to stay. I’m going to fight for my place and give everything I have.’
“Youri didn’t tell me what to do. He just made me think about what I actually wanted. And in that moment, I realised I wasn’t ready to leave Manchester United.”
Today, as every day, we remember Diogo Jota and André Silva, who tragically passed away one year ago.
Through immeasurable loss and incalculable pain, the impact they made and the legacies they left behind - not only within the footballing world, but in the hearts and minds of so many around the world - has shone through over the last 12 months.
All of our love, support, thoughts and prayers continue to be with Diogo and André's families, friends and all those whose lives were touched by them.
Forever in our hearts, forever our number 20 ❤️