When Ruben Amorim shuffled his pack during Manchester United’s 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town on Sunday, he did so hoping to see an extra impetus arrive as a result of those changes.
And, for the most part, his changes had the desired effect.
Rasmus Hojlund gave Manchester United a physicality and a presence that they had lacked previously; Gary Neville has concerns over Marcus Rashford’s involvement as a number nine in Ruben Amorim’s system.
Manuel Ugarte started on the bench following Uruguay duty but impressed alongside Luke Shaw when replacing Casemiro and Jonny Evans before the hour.
It is no coincidence that, following the departures of 30-something trio Casemiro, Evans and Christian Eriksen, Man United wrestled back control from a fit and athletic Ipswich team.
But, in stark contrast, the cameo display of Joshua Zirkzee only provided further questions. Not only about his role at Manchester United, but also about whether the £35 million summer signing has what it takes to make a success of his time at the Premier League’s most high-pressure institution.
Joshua Zirkzee criticised as Manchester United struggles continue
The abiding memory of Zirkzee’s display will, of course, be that dreadful shot he spooned over the Ipswich bar. An attempt that would not have looked out of place at Twickenham.
But, for former Netherlands international Sander Westerveld, the biggest concern surrounds a lack of urgency from a man who would, at times, make Dimitar Berbatov look like a high-pressing machine.
“What I expect from a new coach is guys who go all out [to earn] their place,” Westerveld, the one-time Liverpool, Everton and Portsmouth goalkeeper, tells Viaplay. “That substitutes [who came on against Ipswich] run like fire brigade.
“[But] when Andre Onana played a ball to Rasmus Hojlund, the connection [with Zirkzee] wasn’t there. He just stands there and watches.”
Zirkzee is not the first Premier League newcomer to attract a rather negative reputation due to a perceived air of nonchalance.
Arsenal fans will remember when the debates surrounding Mesut Ozil focused less on his technical qualities but how many beads of sweat he would shake from his forehead.
But ex FC Twente, Schalke and AZ Alkmaar striker Simon Cziommer accepts that Zirkzee’s languid style is doing himself few favours as he looks to win over an unconvinced Manchester United fanbase.
Zirkzee may consider himself more of a ‘9.5’ than a genuine centre-forward. But, still, when a goal is required you expect your new £35 million forward to bust a gut and drive into the penalty area at every opportunity.
“The start was good at Manchester United, of course, and they knew how to use him,” Cziommer argues. “But I think he’s bothered by [the fact] that things aren’t going as he expected. The year before in Italy was, of course, fantastic. He hasn’t been able to show that yet.
“But, hey, more players at United suffer from that.”
Hope still remains for Zirkzee at Ruben Amorim’s Man United
Zirkzee scored on his Man United debut against Fulham in August. 17 games have come and gone since then, however, without him finding the net even once.
But, as Cziommer points out, a rather profligate beginning did not distract from what was initially a pretty impressive first few weeks for the Red Devils.
Zirkzee was exceptional in that 3-0 win at Southampton, after all. The draw at Crystal Palace that following weekend, meanwhile, again showcased Zirkzee’s ability to bring the best out of Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes with his impressive link-play in the final third.
With Ruben Amorim bringing Man United’s wide forwards into more central roles in his 3-4-2-1 system, there should still be a role for Zirkzee to play. Especially if United’s attack is to become that little bit narrower; Rashford, Garnacho and co requiring the sort of threaded through balls with which Zirkzee excels.
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