Ruben Amorim thinks one Manchester United player now looks ‘even faster’, he’s now playing in a ‘better position’

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Manchester United slumped to another defeat on Sunday afternoon, losing 1-0 away at Tottenham Hotspur.

Ruben Amorim wants progress at Manchester United but Sunday was another frustrating afternoon.

United headed down to North London to take on a Tottenham Hotspur side who have been in similarly testing form.

James Maddison opened the scoring from close range as Andre Onana pushed a shot back into danger.

United created a number of fine openings but couldn’t find the net with Alejandro Garnacho spurning a glorious opportunity in the first half.

United huffed and puffed but couldn’t blow the Tottenham door down as a visibly angry Amorim suffered yet another defeat.

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Ruben Amorim on Joshua Zirkzee

One chance fell the way of Joshua Zirkzee as he headed wide from inside the box in the second half.

The Dutchman glanced his header wide of the target but that should not be the headline from his performance.

Zirkzee showed outstanding technique and looks like one of United’s more threatening players as he featured just off Rasmus Hojlund in attack.

Speaking to Beanyman Sports after the final whistle, Amorim praised Zirkzee’s improvement.

Amorim feels that the number 10 role suits Zirkzee better than playing as a centre forward.

Amorim also believes that Zirkzee is thinner, stronger and even faster having put the work in to improve his game.

The United boss loves how Zirkzee is winning more duels and can really see his athletic improvement on the pitch.

“I think Josh is not a clear nine,” said Amorim. “He played more as a ten, he is stronger physically, he’s thinner, so he is working really hard, and he plays in a better position for him.

“He’s improving, he’s winning more duels and he’s even faster, you feel it in the game,” he added.

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Joshua Zirkzee starting to emerge

Zirkzee was infamously jeered off against Newcastle United on December 30.

That could have been the end for many United players over the years but Zirkzee is responding.

United paid around £36million to sign Zirkzee from Bologna and the man himself would probably accept that he hasn’t scored enough goals.

Amad’s new injury blow and the departures of both Antony and Marcus Rashford mean that Zirkzee must step up – and he has certainly improved since that torrid night against Newcastle.

Amorim clearly sees something in Zirkzee and whilst he may not be the centre forward of United’s future, he could have a big role to play deeper in United’s attack.