Joshua Zirkzee was a major talking point for Manchester United fans in the aftermath of the Red Devils’ Premier League encounter with 10-man Newcastle on Wednesday.
Newcastle hosted Manchester United at St James’ Park and Anthony Gordon put the Magpies 1-0 up in first-half injury time after the club were reduced to 10 men.
Anthony Gordon’s opener on Wednesday was short-lived after Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick was converted by Casemiro’s superb close-range effort before half-time.
However, Newcastle sealed a dramatic late win over United after William Osula netted a stunning strike past a helpless Senne Lammens on Wednesday evening.
Credit where it’s due, Joshua Zirkzee played well when he came on
Should Zirkzee be in line for a start any time soon?
Man Utd fans react to Joshua Zirkzee after Michael Carrick’s men faced a major challenge against Newcastle
Manchester United fans took to United In Focus’ TalkingPoints and supporters were divided over whether or not Joshua Zirkzee should start for the Red Devils.
A Red Devils supporter wrote: “Great shot against [Aaron] Ramsdale. Thought it was going in.”
Someone else commented: “If we didn’t have [Benjamin] Sesko, maybe so, but don’t know who he’d come in for at the minute, but if he’s willing to stay, he could be important with the amount of fixtures we’ll have.”
“Yes [he should start],” a third Man Utd fan suggested.
And a fourth TalkingPoints user claimed: “It’s hard to find a position for Zirkzee, with Sesko playing so well. But he looked very bright from the No 10 role when he came on.”
While a fifth said: “I still probably wouldn’t drop Sesko, but if Zirkzee was to start, it would be for him.”
“Zirkzee will be in my team, as the wheels are coming off with [a] lack of ideas being exposed. We definitely need a new manager, as the tactics are baffling against 10-[man] teams,” another posted.
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Is a Joshua Zirkzee comeback on at Man Utd under Michael Carrick at Old Trafford?
Zirkzee climbed off the bench at St James’ Park and the 24-year-old Dutch forward was lively on the pitch after he replaced Bryan Mbeumo in the 76th minute.
The Netherlands striker was a spark in an otherwise flat second-half performance from the Red Devils and proved to be a key test for Newcastle’s Aaron Ramsdale.
Ramsdale was able to deny Zirkzee from having a major impact on the match result, but the United striker did enough to have fans talking about him on the night.
Benjamin Sesko struggled in the final third for United, but Zirkzee has shown why he might have become an effective substitute option when Michael Carrick needs him.
United will now return to Premier League action at Old Trafford on 15th March and the Red Devils will host Unai Emery’s Aston Villa side for a 2pm kick-off in the UK.
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