Joshua Zirkzee wasted a golden opportunity to impress his boss Ruben Amorim on Monday as Manchester United lost 1-0 at home to Everton.
With Benjamin Sesko unavailable attributable to a knee injury, Zirkzee was handed his first start of the season up top and did not make any sort of impact within the 90 minutes he was on the pitch.
Despite being 6ft 4in tall, Zirzkee struggled to win headers and get on the tip of crosses in a worrying display for a forward who was expected to mix his designated false nine role with basic goal man duties.
Zirzkee only won six duels – 20 fewer than Everton striker Thierno Barry – and was United’s least accurate player in possession.
The Dutchman’s average position against the Toffees in the primary half was deeper than Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, and Patrick Dorgu.
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With Zirzkee continuing to disappoint since his £36.5m arrival from Bologna in 2024, Amorim’s newest problem is an absence of a Plan B when Sesko isn’t fit.
But there are quite a lot of potential solutions for Amorim, who’s seeking to guide United back into the Premier League top 4 this season.
Bruno Fernandes as a false nine
Sesko is just not expected to return from injury until early December so Amorim will need a fast fix for United’s next game against Crystal Palace.
The United head coach could possibly deploy midfielder Fernandes as a false nine against the Eagles on Sunday, which might allow Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo to attack high up the pitch.
Should Fernandes be used because the false nine, it will allow Amorim to kill two birds with one stone as Kobbie Mainoo, who’s desperate for more minutes, could come into the XI to partner Casemiro.
It must be noted that this might be depending on Cunha getting back from injury after he missed the match against Everton attributable to a minor knock.
Chido Obi because the most important striker
Like Zirkzee, United’s teenage striker Chido Obi is thought for his physical presence and Amorim could turn to the teenager for the Palace game.
The 17-year-old has only played eight times for United but has shined for his or her U21s side, with seven goals and three assists across 18 matches.
Former United forward Dwight Yorke is adamant that Obi must be starting games while Sesko is ruled out despite his lack of experience.
‘I would love to see Chido Obi put in if Sesko is out,’ Yorke said. ‘In the event you’re ok to be at United, you’ve got to provide them a likelihood. History has shown that it is a club where young players get that likelihood to face in and step and we’ve seen that point and time again.’
Should Man Utd offload Joshua Zirkzee in January?
Man Utd could sign a substitute in January
Following the Palace game, Sesko could make his return against West Ham or Wolves but Amorim still needs a back-up option for the Slovenian who can have more of an impact than Zirkzee.
It has been heavily rumoured that Zirkzee may leave Old Trafford within the January transfer window – and if that’s the case – United could recruit a brand new striker to interchange him.
United could make a fresh try to sign Jean-Philippe Mateta after contract talks between the Frenchman and Crystal Palace stalled, in line with reports.
The Red Devils have also been strongly linked to AFC Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, who is generally deployed as a winger but can play as a centre-forward too.
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