Joshua Zirkzee has been Manchester United’s most patient player this season. There could be some hope on the horizon.
Without European football, Manchester United have not had a lot of opportunity to rotate this season, and Joshua Zirkzee has been among the unlucky victims of circumstance.
Zirkzee has started only four games this season. He has played 17 times from the bench, and is averaging 24 minutes per appearance.
The appointment of new head coach Michael Carrick has not helped him. Zirkzee is yet to start a game under Carrick.
A bright cameo against Liverpool reinforced the view that Zirkzee has something to offer, and it’s possible an opportunity may open up.
With Benjamin Sesko nursing a shin injury, should Joshua Zirkzee start vs Sunderland?
Joshua Zirkzee aiming to start
Benjamin Sesko suffered an injury against Liverpool when he was shoved into the advertising hoardings by Ibrahim Konate.
Michael Carrick explained that Sesko was already dealing with an ongoing shin injury that was aggravated by the incident.
United could rush Sesko back to face Sunderland this coming weekend. But there are alternatives, one of which is Zirkzee.
The case for Zirkzee is two-fold. He is the most natural fit to replace Sesko, the only other senior striker on United’s books.
Zirkzee is not a typical number nine. There is debate over what his best position is. But he is certainly capable of leading the line.
The last time Zirkzee started an away game for United was away at Crystal Palace. He scored a vital goal in an impressive 2-1 victory, way back at the end of November.
Starting Sesko would be the high-risk move for United. What if he further aggravates his injury?
Playing Zirkzee is the low-risk move, and the Dutch forward deserves an opportunity.
United are pushing to secure third place, but with Champions League qualification official, there might be a case for a little rotation.
Zirkzee could be one of the beneficiaries, and it makes sense with Sesko currently out.
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Alternatives to Zirkzee
Manchester United are not short of alternatives to Joshua Zirkzee, and he was not the immediate choice against Liverpool.
Carrick chose to move Bryan Mbeumo up front, bringing Amad off the bench to play on the right wing.
But the simple facts are that neither Mbeumo nor Amad are in form. Mbeumo’s last goal came in early February, while Amad has not scored yet in 2026.
Zirkzee is relatively fresh compared to both players, and this could be his moment.
If it does not come against Sunderland, then there is at least a chance that we see him in subsequent games against Nottingham Forest or Brighton.
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