TalkSPORT pundit Gabby Agbonlahor has insisted that he “didn’t like” to see the treatment that one Manchester United star received and he “felt sorry for him.”
Manchester United languish in 14th place in the Premier League table after the Red Devils have lost their last three league matches under Ruben Amorim.
Ruben Amorim’s men have been winless since their 2-1 Premier League comeback win against Manchester City at the Etihad in December 2024.
United have suffered defeat in their last four matches across all competitions, including their exit from the Carabao Cup quarter-finals at the hands of Tottenham.
Amorim’s side ended 2024 on a low point with their 2-0 Premier League defeat to Newcastle at Old Trafford on Monday evening.
United were played off the park in the first half at Old Trafford and Newcastle were 2-0 up at half-time thanks to Alexander Isak and Joelinton.
The Red Devils offered very little in response to Eddie Howe’s men and United dropped important points in their lacklustre 2024-25 campaign so far.
United have only managed six wins in 19 Premier League matches and Amorim’s men are only seven points clear of the relegation zone.
Agbonlahor reacts to Man Utd star vs Newcastle
Joshua Zirkzee started the 2-0 defeat to Newcastle as one of the two No 10s and the Manchester United striker had a nightmare performance at Old Trafford.
The 23-year-old Dutch forward lasted only 33 minutes in Monday’s result after Ruben Amorim pulled him off for United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo.
Kobbie Mainoo was partnered alongside Casemiro and Christian Eriksen was moved out of central midfield and into the advanced attacking position on the pitch.
Joshua Zirkzee was met with boos and was heckled as he left the pitch, with the United summer signing putting on his coat as he marched down the tunnel.
The Netherlands international, who has faced heavy criticism since his summer move to Old Trafford, later re-emerged from the tunnel and headed back to the dugout.
Gabby Agbonlahor pulled no punches towards the “disgusting” treatment that Zirkzee received and he “didn’t like” what he saw with the reception.
“I didn’t like it, I thought it was disgusting from some of the Manchester United fans cheering him coming off,” he said on TalkSPORT.
“He’s a young lad, 23, [a] new signing who hasn’t bedded in yet. New signings don’t always come good in the first handful of starts. I just felt sorry for him.
“I just didn’t like it, it wasn’t nice. There’s no more embarrassment than being taken off in the first half, it’s worse than being a sub who gets subbed.”
Agbonlahor slams three Man Utd stars
Agbonlahor’s defence of Joshua Zirkzee extended to his criticism of the performances of United trio Amad Diallo, Rasmus Hojlund and Lisandro Martinez.
“I don’t think he was any worse than [Amad] Diallo was or any worse than [Rasmus] Hojlund,” he added.
“I don’t think he had to take him off. I think he had to take Casemiro or [Christian] Eriksen off and put [Kobbie] Mainoo in there.
“[Lisandro] Martinez should have been dragged after 34 minutes, not make a scapegoat of Zirkzee.
“Amorim will look back at that and think, ‘Yeah, maybe it was a bit harsh taking him off after 34 minutes.’”
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/QMJibcm