Paul Scholes again lamented the limited impact of Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee after his performance against Arsenal on Sunday.
United, as they’ve done on multiple occasions under Ruben Amorim, turned in an improved performance against certainly one of the Premier League’s best sides.
The Red Devils soaked up pressure for much of the primary half before taking the lead getting ready to half-time courtesy of Bruno Fernandes’ powerful free-kick.
And despite being pegged back by Declan Rice’s equaliser, United were unlucky to notice leave Old Trafford with three points as they spurned good opportunities within the closing stages.
Despite their improved display, which prolonged United’s unbeaten league run to 3 games, it was one other frustrating afternoon for the hosts’ strikers.
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Rasmus Hojlund was dropped to the bench as his goalless run prolonged to twenty games, while Zirkzee was only in a position to muster one shot on goal prior to being withdrawn within the 76th minute.
And former United midfielder Scholes admitted he continues to be scratching his head as to how the Dutch striker suits into Amorim’s setup.
‘Each teams are in desperate need of a striker,’ Scholes told Premier League Productions post-match.
‘Zirkzee I believed was a little bit bit disappointing today. I’m undecided he’s a number nine or a number ten.
‘I’m not likely sure what Zirkzee brings to the team. Rasmus Hojlund is clearly still having his issues but each teams are crying out for attacking players.’
Amorim, meanwhile, challenged his players to be more like their captain Fernandes who now has two goals and an assist in his last three games.
‘I believe any coach when he desires to bring players, he expects one of the best, but sometimes they should adapt and sometimes you may have luck with the character of the player or not,’ said Amorim.
‘Even with all of the investigation that each one the coaches do before signing players. What I can say is that we want more Brunos. That is obvious.
‘Not only the standard, the character, not some mistakes, however the character that he has, the supply on this league, is so essential and he’s so decisive with the ball and without the ball.’
United face a fast turnaround before their Europa League last-16 second leg with Real Sociedad on Thursday.
But having secured a hard-fought attract Spain last week, Scholes is confident his former side can make the most at Old Trafford to book their spot within the quarter-finals.
‘I don’t think the season is just on Thursday because even in the event that they win on Thursday they’ve still got one other three rounds to go after that,’ he added.
‘But yeah that is very large for them, the Europa League is that this season for them in a nutshell now. It’s been a disappointing league campaign although they probably must have won today.
‘Against the higher teams, trangely enough, they’ve looked as if it would discover a performance from somewhere. We’ll see what happens on Thursday, I believed they were quite comfortable over in Spain (in the primary leg) and I expect them to undergo.’
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