Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee is under fire after a slow start since his summer move from Bologna.
Joshua Zirkzee saw his Manchester United career get off to a perfect start by scoring on his debut.
But this has counted for very little since. Zirkzee has not scored a Manchester United goal since that mid-August strike.
He has lost his place as a starter and his first game under Ruben Amorim was not pretty, coming off the bench to launch his only shot closer to Row Z than the back of the net.
Gordon Hill on Joshua Zirkzee
When it rains, it pours. And Joshua Zirkzee will recognise this at Manchester United at present, where he just needs a goal to go in and try and turn his luck around.
Zirkzee’s problems are compiled by the opinion of former Manchester United winger Gordon Hill, who hit out on social media at his squad number.
The Dutchman wears Manchester United’s number 11, replacing Rasmus Hojlund who switched to the 9 shirt vacated by Anthony Martial.
Hill wrote on X: “What p____s me off is that Zirkee has a number 11 on his back is some taken the Mickey. That is a treasured number. worn by great wingers.”
He added: “Take away numbers as they mean nothing anymore. No wonder there is no pride in putting on just a shirt with your name on it.”
Zirkzee floundering so far this season
Joshua Zirkzee can still win over his detractors, but he has a lot of work to do to turn his fortunes around.
While he was not renowned for his goalscoring at Bologna, his paltry return of simply one goal is poor, and he has only one assist.
Zirkzee started only one game under Ruud van Nistelrooy and was left on the bench against Ipswich in Ruben Amorim’s opener.
The trouble is trying to place him. If he is not being utilised as a striker, then where does he fit?
It was interesting to see Zirkzee and Hojlund come on together against Ipswich, under Erik ten Hag it was very much a case of ‘either, or’.
If they can get time on the pitch together and strike up a connection, it would help everybody out.
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