Joshua Zirkzee faced the ignominy of being substituted after just 33 minutes during Manchester United’s defeat to Newcastle United and the Dutchman was reportedly ‘reduced to tears’
Joshua Zirkzee was reduced to tears after being substituted after just 33 minutees in Manchester United’s defeat to Newcastle.
The Dutch forward was replaced with the Red Devils already 2-0 down against the Magpies as Ruben Amorim attempted to reduce the dominance of Old Trafford’s visitors. Kobbie Mainoo was introduced in Zirkzee’s place much to the pleasure of United’s supporters at the ground.
The crowd unleashed a cheer as Zirzkee made his way off the field. The £36million summer signing appeared aghast at the decision to be hauled off, and headed straight towards the tunnel before returning to take his place on the bench.
Zirkzee was seen with tears in his eyes in the tunnel following jeers by United supporters, according beIN Sports and Sky Germany. The Dutchman received some sympathy from ex-United captain Gary Neville.
When Zirkzee’s number was raised and boos started, Neville said on commentary: “I have to feel sorry for him. He has basically been cheered off by his own fans and that is brutal. I’ve not seen that too many times at Old Trafford. It’s a brutal one for him. I don’t suspect he went back to get a Lucozade.”
Following the game, United boss Amorim attempted to explain both his decision to start former Bologna star Zirkzee, and the decision to so swiftly replace him. The 39-year-old wanted more bodies in midfield.
Amorim said: “Joshua is our player and we wanted more power in front. We’re often conceding the first goal from set pieces so we had more guys for set pieces. We are trying to cope with every problem in the team, but sometimes we have a lot of problems. So you push on one side and you leave the other one open.
“You have to think about the team, and sometimes about the player. The player is suffering and I was there myself a few years ago. I felt he and the team were suffering during the game and we needed another midfielder. It was tough on me to do that and I’ve talked with Josh about that because it’s important to relay the message.”
Amorim also spoke on Zirkzee’s decision to head down the tunnel initially. “He wants to be [there] and then he returns in the second half,” said the ex-Sporting CP boss.
“It was a very difficult moment and he’s a human being, but then he felt the support of the fans in the end, so everything is okay.”
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