‘Man United make Joshua Zirkzee U-turn’ after Ruben Amorim green light
Man United are prepared to keep Joshua Zirkzee at the club despite speculation about his future, according to their former chief scout.
Mick Brown, who spent over a decade at Old Trafford during the club’s most successful period and remains very well-connected there, exclusively told Football Insider that it was previously thought Zirkzee would have no future at United.
Ruben Amorim has dropped the 23-year-old behind the lone striker in recent weeks, deploying him in a more creative role, and is prepared to continue working to develop his game.
This comes after Brown previously told Football Insider that Amorim wants to sign a new striker to replace Zirkzee amid questions about his suitability for United’s style of play.
However, the Netherlands international is no longer seen as an out-and-out striker at United as the coaching staff have accepted his qualities are better utilised elsewhere.
Following a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle on 30 December, Man United fans left Zirkzee in tears after he was booed off after just 33 minutes at Old Trafford.
Since then, however, he has worked hard to improve his game and become more involved in general play, and there has been a noticeable difference to his play.
Joshua Zirkzee to stay and improve under Amorim at Man United
Brown told Football Insider on 13 February that United are targeting Viktor Gyokeres and Harry Kane to strengthen up front amid concerns about Rasmus Hojlund.
However, the former scout who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment and also spent time as the chief scout at Blackburn and Sunderland, has insisted that will have no bearing on Zirkzee’s future in his new role.
“He’s certainly improved in recent weeks,” he told Football Insider.
“And that’s because he’s showing a bit of desire and fight to get on the ball and make things happen, even if it doesn’t always come off.
“That’s the way you improve and get things going in your favour.
“Ruben Amorim and his coaches will take note of that and will want to work with it.
“He’s dropped into a bit of a new role recently, playing behind the main number nine, and that’s where they’re getting the best out of him.
“It looks like being a long-term thing because they’ve accepted he’s not going to be their striker.
“They’re still looking at options in the transfer market, but I don’t think that will affect Zirkzee.
“He’s got to keep putting the building blocks in place to develop his game, keep improving and keep working hard on and off the pitch.
“But where I think there were questions about his place at the club before, I don’t think those questions will be there any more.
“As long as he keeps working hard, he’s going to have a role in the squad, and that’s down to himself and the effort he has put in to earn a place.
“I think a few others in this team could learn a thing or two from that.”
Ruben Amorim ‘concerned’ about Andre Onana performances
Zirkzee is not the only United player to have come in for criticism so far this season, with the performances of goalkeeper Andre Onana also catching the eye.
The 28-year-old has made numerous costly errors so far this season, and was at fault again for Ipswich’s opening goal in the 3-2 United win at Old Trafford on 26 February.
As a result, Brown told Football Insider that Man United are concerned about Onana and the way he has performed since the arrival of Amorim.
“Serious questions” are said to have been asked of the shot-stopper amid a feeling that his position could be upgraded in the summer window.
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