Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee starred for Netherlands in their recent victory over Bosnia.
Joshua Zirkzee’s first ever Netherlands start was a resounding success. Zirkzee, 23, scored one goal and provided an assist, while creating four chances.
Manchester United fans were impressed too – and ideally the Dutch would wrap him in cotton wool and send him back to Carrington to prepare for the upcoming match with Southampton.
Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman is not quite doing that. But he may do United a big favour.
Ronald Koeman considering Joshua Zirkzee decision
Netherlands face Germany this week, which seemed like a perfect opportunity for the Dutch to further test their new system with Joshua Zirkzee leading the line.
Koeman’s initial plan was to leave Zirkzee on the bench for the Netherlands, with Brian Brobbey to take his place.
Koeman had made this decision in advance of the two UEFA Nations League ties.
He explained, via Voetbal Primeur: “It’s just a choice. A position is not determined in one international match.
“I was happy with Joshua’s game, but I have every confidence that Brian will also show that quality in his match.”
Speaking at his press conference ahead of the match, Koeman did row back on his plans a little, and said he was still weighing his options.
He told NU.nl: “He is ready for a starting place, although I’m not going to say yet whether he will actually play.”
Reaction to Koeman’s Zirkzee plan
Joshua Zirkzee was the standout player in the Netherlands’ win, and there is some scepticism over the plan to leave him on the bench against Germany.
Hugo Borst tells Algemeen Dagblad that he felt Zirkzee was a ‘revelation’ in his last international match, and describes the plan to leave him out as ‘not smart’.
Former Dutch striker Pierre van Hooijdonk was quoted on Dutch television: “It’s actually a shame that Koeman has already said that Brobbey will play against Germany because you are actually very curious to see how this duo (Zirkzee and Tijjani Reijnders) will do against a good opponent.”
United need Zirkzee fresh
As far as Manchester United are concerned, Joshua Zirkzee has already gone away and proved a point.
His performance will have lifted his confidence after a tough game with Liverpool, and ideally now he will get some rest in, while also reducing any potential injury risk.
If Koeman does start Zirkzee on the bench, it’s good news for Manchester United, amid preparations for the weekend’s fixture with Southampton.
Zirkzee will no doubt come on as a substitute and play some role against Germany, but for us, the fewer minutes the better.
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