🚨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.”