Joshua Zirkzee’s first home match for Manchester United a week ago was a dream come true for him. His first away game for the club was one he would rather forget.
Joshua Zirkzee was brought crashing down to earth for Manchester United against Brighton, a week after his goalscoring debut at home to Fulham.
Zirkzee began this game on the bench, before being brought on for an apparently injured Mason Mount.
He helped United get back into the match, with Amad scoring an equaliser, before disaster struck.
Joshua Zirkzee’s unfortunate touch
Joshua Zirkzee accidentally caused Alejandro Garnacho’s goal to be disallowed, which had appeared to put the team 2-1 up with a rapid counter-attack.
It was a highly contentious VAR decision, with the ball heading into the net and on the goal line when it touched Zirkzee’s knee.
Zirkzee was judged to be offside and the goal ruled out, despite not influencing the outcome or path of Garnacho’s shot attempt.
Manchester United lost the match 2-1 after conceding a late goal, and Zirkzee looked perplexed at the final whistle.
Erik ten Hag said after the game: “I think it was difficult. In the moment, [when] he was on the slide, to avoid it. If he had read the situation before or maybe counted on the ball from Bruno, or read the situation better, it was maybe avoidable.
“But you can do nothing about it. Once you’re on the slide, you can’t avoid the ball. I asked him [about it] and it’s tough. The rule is clear.”
The incident was discussed on MUTV, with pundit Phil Bardsley expressing sympathy for the Dutch forward.
He told Matchday Review: “It’s a tough one to take, if he leaves it, it’s a goal. It’s going to haunt him. It’s a striker’s instinct.
“Disappointing all round because what a counter-attack that is.”
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Joshua Zirkzee performance praised
This one incident will frustrate Zirkzee and United fans, yet there was plenty to be pleased about with his performance.
His introduction to the game coincided with United’s best spell of football, and Bardsley praised his overall contribution, making his feelings clear that he has been impressed with the summer signing.
He said: “I liked him when he came on. You ask your substitutes to come into the game and both times he’s come off the bench he’s made an impact.
“He’s bright, he links play up well, he looks like he’s full of energy, he’ll be chomping at the bit to start [against Liverpool]. Hopefully for him, a good week’s training and try and stake a claim.”
Manchester United looked a little toothless without a striker in the first half and once Zirkzee came on, the team began to gel.
He has already shown he knows where the net is, and if he can score a winner against Liverpool in next week’s fixture, his faux pas against Brighton will soon be forgotten.
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