Former England manager Fabio Capello believes Joshua Zirkzee, recruited this summer from Manchester United, was overwhelmed by the speed of the game in the Premier League.
The Red Devils signed five players in the summer transfer window, the first since INEOS took control of football operations, and Zirkzee was their key addition in attack.
The Netherlands international signed from Bologna for a fee of £36.5m as Manchester United looked to provide attacking support for Rasmus Hojlund.
Zirkzee has struggled to adapt to life at Old Trafford, with the Dutchman scoring just one goal and one assist in 12 games this season.
The Netherlands international's former club Bologna has played Liverpool and Aston Villa in the Champions League this season, while AC Milan has also faced Arne Slott's side this season. The Premier League team has always been at the top and Capello, the former England manager, believes Italian teams suffer from the same problem as Manchester United striker Zirkzee.
The Italian told La Gazzetta dello Sport: "After Bologna's defeat at Aston Villa, I asked [Bologna coach] Italiano [Vincenzo] what his impression was of the two English teams he faced immediately, Aston Villa and Liverpool. »
Capello added: "They run, they walk faster, they have a different rhythm.
"Go watch Zirkzee play in the Premier League and tell me if he looks like the same player we saw in Bologna.
"In Italy, he did what he wanted, in England, he didn't even have time to think about the game before the ball was stolen from him. It's more or less the same thing that happens with our teams."
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, already under pressure this season due to results, continues to trust Zirkzee to do well for the Red Devils. Ten Hag said in September: "Yes, I think he can become a productive scorer for United."
"Of course he is young. We have seen his great abilities. He is a good link player, as you say, he is creative.
“He creates chances, but to be honest, he also has his moments towards the opposite goal. “I think he did well [against FC Twente] and finished well, with a perfect save from the goalkeeper, but in this area, he can improve.
"We know he has some really good skills, he needs to improve and he needs our support to improve."
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