“Your game looked nothing different from Erik Ten Hag’s game but this player needs to be chased out of Old Trafford by tomorrow. This type of performance is not needed here at Old Trafford” – This is according to Gary Neville as he urges Ruben Amorim to drop £105,000-a-week Manchester United star after disappointing Ipswich draw. The player’s underwhelming performance highlighted a lack of impact, prompting calls for Amorim to make bold decisions. A reshuffle could inject fresh energy into the team’s pursuit of improvement under new management

There were mixed outcomes from Ruben Amorim’s first Manchester United team selection during their 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town in his Premier League debut. While some players benefitted, others, like Joshua Zirkzee, appear to be on shaky ground after being relegated to the bench and underperforming during his brief appearance.

Amorim surprised many by deploying Marcus Rashford as the starting striker, leaving Zirkzee and Rasmus Højlund—both natural forwards—on the bench. This decision underscores Zirkzee’s precarious position in a one-striker system, effectively making him the third-choice option. Given Amorim’s preference for a strong focal point in attack, Zirkzee risks becoming surplus to requirements, potentially marking the end of his United career just months after signing for the club.

Zirkzee’s Struggles vs Ipswich
Introduced in the 68th minute alongside Højlund, Zirkzee had little impact. Replacing Christian Eriksen, with Bruno Fernandes dropping deeper into midfield, the Dutchman failed to capitalize on his opportunity. His lone shot soared over the crossbar, and with just 14 touches and seven accurate passes, Zirkzee struggled to assert himself. He also lost possession five times and failed to deliver a successful cross, leaving both fans and critics unimpressed.

Underwhelming Stats
Zirkzee’s broader Premier League contributions paint a concerning picture. With only one goal from 454 minutes played, he ranks 13th in minutes among the squad and 18th in overall match ratings. His limited key passes and dribbles per game further highlight his minimal impact.

Transfer Speculation
Reports suggest Zirkzee, earning an estimated £105,000 per week, is already considering an exit, with Juventus expressing interest in reuniting him with former manager Thiago Motta. Having enjoyed his best season under Motta at Bologna, a move back to Italy might reignite his career.

With United rumored to be targeting strikers like Viktor Gyökeres, Zirkzee’s position could slip further, making regular playing time increasingly unlikely. Unless he significantly improves, it seems his future at Old Trafford may be short-lived.