Manchester United turned in yet another miserable performance in the first-half of their Premier League clash against Newcastle as summer signing Joshua Zirkzee was hauled off to cheers from Old Trafford
Gary Neville ruthlessly tore into Manchester United ‘s flops – but admitted sympathy for Joshua Zirkzee after his brutal sub.
The Red Devils turned in a miserable opening 45 minutes against Newcastle on Monday. Ruben Amorim’s side found themselves 2-0 down after simple headers from Alexander Isak and Joelinton.
It could have been even worse for the hosts as Sandro Tonali hit the post and Isak spurned another great chance. Amorim was forced into action as he hauled off Zirkzee midway through the first half.
The Dutchman’s exit triggered a loud response from the home fans, who cheered the striker’s withdrawal, while he walked straight down the tunnel. And Neville admitted that he was taken aback by the reaction – albeit did not pull any punches in his assessment of his former side’s performance.
Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “I actually feel sorry for him, I really do. I know he earns a lot of money but there’s a human being in there. And he’s being cheered off.
“It’s absolutely brutal. I haven’t seen that too many times in the 43 years I’ve been coming to Old Trafford. He’s going straight down the tunnel and I actually don’t blame him because sometimes it’s a massive embarrassment. He’s not played well, let’s be clear. You’re watching the worst pound for pound football team in the country, bar none.”
Shortly after walking down the tunnel, Zirkzee reappeared just moments later to join his teammates on the bench. And Neville doubled down on his assessment of the striker’s substitution.
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He added: “I think someone might have told him to come back out. Can’t imagine he’s gone in to get a Lucozade. Brutal moment for him, really hard.”
Zirkzee’s brutal withdrawal is the latest tricky chapter in what has been a nightmare few months at Old Trafford. The striker was signed for £37m from Italian side Bologna in the summer.
And he enjoyed a dream start to life at Old Trafford with the winner against Fulham on his debut. The 23-year-old has scored just three further goals since then in all competitions.
It has been suggested that United could choose to cut him adrift just months after signing him. Italian giants Juventus have been linked with a loan move for Zirkzee, who has four-and-a-half years remaining on his contract.
The negative reactions were not just reserved for Zirkzee on Monday however. The Red Devils were also booed off at half-time, with Newcastle leading 2-0.
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