Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim offered his verdict on one first-team player’s future at Old Trafford after the 2-2 draw against Liverpool at Anfield.
The Red Devils produced an impressive performance on Sunday evening in their first Premier League match in 2025 after a disappointing run of form to end 2024.
Ruben Amorim had overseen three consecutive Premier League defeats – and four in a row across all competitions – ahead of the showdown with Liverpool.
Lisandro Martinez fired Manchester United into a second-half lead at Anfield before Reds star Cody Gakpo netted an equaliser for Liverpool only seven minutes later.
Mohamed Salah then put Liverpool into the lead in the 70th minute after converting from the spot-kick, following a controversial VAR intervention against United.
However, Amorim was able to walk away with an important point for United after Amad Diallo produced a critical equaliser during the thrilling contest on the weekend.
Amorim’s stance on Man Utd star’s future
Manchester United will now turn their attention away from the Premier League for the start of their FA Cup title defence against Arsenal on Sunday.
The Red Devils climbed to 13th place in the Premier League table after Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Liverpool and United are seven points clear of the relegation zone.
Joshua Zirkzee made a late cameo appearance for United against Liverpool after Ruben Amorim brought him on in place of striker Rasmus Hojlund.
The 23-year-old Dutch forward was met with boos and heckled when he was pulled off in the first half of United’s defeat to Newcastle at Old Trafford last month.
United signed Joshua Zirkzee from Serie A side Bologna last summer and the United striker has struggled to make an impact in his debut season at Old Trafford.
Zirkzee, who has scored four times in 28 matches, has been heavily linked with the likes of Juventus and his long-term future at Old Trafford remains uncertain.
Speaking on the former Bologna man’s future, Amorim told talkSPORT: “I want to keep Josh because he gives everything and he’s trying in training but we don’t know.
“The window is open and we will see what happens. We just need to focus on training and to take this for the other games.
“It’s just one point, so let’s focus on the performance for the next games.”
Amorim reacts to Zirkzee’s decision-making
Joshua Zirkzee was played through by Bruno Fernandes in injury time against Liverpool and he opted to square the ball to Harry Maguire in the centre.
However, the United striker’s low pass bobbled and Harry Maguire blazed his effort over the Liverpool crossbar before the full-time whistle at Anfield.
Speaking after the match, Amorim insisted that Zirkzee made the right call not to shoot and instead to set up United defender Maguire for the strike.
“I think he made the right decision,” he said, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“He doesn’t have the perfect angle. He could shoot but he has the composure to pass the ball in the centre of the box for Harry to shoot.”
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