Joshua Zirkzee has so far scored just one Manchester United goal since his £36m summer move.
Manchester United have struggled offensively this season and No.11 Joshua Zirkzee has cut a frustrating figure up front.
The 23-year-old has only scored once from having 3.08 expected goals – missing four big chances already in just seven games.
Despite a lack of goals, Zirkzee was one of several United players to receive international call-ups for the October international break.
Now, after his performance against Hungary, the Dutch press has been left with one complaint.
What Dutch media have said about Joshua Zirkzee vs Hungary
After the Netherlands drew 1-1 with Zirkzee’s style of play had members of the Dutch press reacting with one complaint.
Hans Kraay had discussed Zirkzee’s performance on ESPN Netherlands, and while he was full of praise for United’s No.11, he had one complaint.
“I’ve been a coach at a very different level than this, but when you play against such a wall and you play with half a striker. Then I would like Zirkzee to get a little support.
“Because Zirkzee is not a target man. You can’t expect that from him either.”
Kraay then explained that Zirkzee is not a goalscorer and misses the teeth needed to be clinical in the box.
“He is a very nice graceful number nine. Who with a little space and with people who go over him can play football wonderfully. But now he did need a point striker and he could play around it himself.
“He is not a target man, they have a number nine on their backs. The English [Premier League] target man also misses two front teeth. He would never lose it. But he’s not ten either. He’s a nice 9.5.”
Zirkzee’s lack of a goalscoring threat is a problem, no matter how good the rest of his game is.
This is because playing as a number nine means he should be the focal point, but outlet AD in the Netherlands critiqued that Zirkzee was never in the position of a striker which hindered the Dutch goalscoring effort.
What can Erik ten Hag learn from Manchester United goalscoring problems
So far this season the goalscoring issues at Old Trafford have been playing the biggest role in the fact United sit 14th in the league.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 12 |  West HamWest Ham | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 11 | -1 | 8 |
| 13 |  B’mouthBournemouth | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 10 | -2 | 8 |
| 14 |  Man UtdManchester United | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 8 | -3 | 8 |
| 15 |  LeicesterLeicester | 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 12 | -3 | 6 |
| 16 |  EvertonEverton | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 15 | -8 | 5 |
So with Zirkzee not really a number nine – along with the fact he is an important player as we saw with Zirkzee’s display vs Crystal Palace, a system change may be required.
Gary Neville has suggested a formation change for United, arguing a three-at-the-back formation could suit the squad.
But it could also be that Ten Hag wants to figure out a way to use Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund together – with Zirkzee in this 9.5 role which is often discussed.
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