Manchester United lost 1-0 to Everton in the Premier League, and Ruben Amorim was proven wrong about what he said pre-match about Matheus Cunha and another Red Devils star.
It was a night to forget for the Red Devils. Manchester United’s player ratings were woeful as they succumbed to 10-man Everton on the night.
But it was Joshua Zirkzee who struggled most. He was hoisted into the number nine role at Old Trafford after a severe lack of minutes this season in Matheus Cunha’s absence – and it showed.
Who was the most DISAPPOINTING Man Utd player vs Everton?
Ruben Amorim was confident before the Everton defeat that Zirkzee could step up in the circumstances – but the Portuguese was proven wrong.
Ruben Amorim claimed Joshua Zirkzee could replace Matheus Cunha
Amorim told club media after giving an update on Cunha: “We have to show everybody, when you are not 100 per cent, we have a different player to cope with the demands of the game.”
He continued: “I just want to see Josh playing well, with the quality he has. We have a problem with Ben [Sesko] and we have a problem with Cunha. He’s working in that position.
“If you look at our team, I think Josh has, more or less, the same characteristics as Cunha in that position. We want to maintain what we worked with during the week and he is ready.”
Amorim claimed Zirkzee was “ready” and would be able to replicate what Cunha could have in the forward position. His performance certainly suggested otherwise.
Joshua Zirkzee stats against Everton
One of the baffling things to take from the fixture was Zirkzee’s wasteful passing. On so many occasions, a simple lay-off to a United teammate was on, but his pass went astray.
Where did Joshua Zirkzee go wrong against Everton?
This is particularly worrying, as Zirkzee’s link-up play is supposed to be one of his strong points.
Cunha’s knock didn’t appear to be a bad one, as Amorim alluded to, so we may see him in the next game.
Amorim said: “It was a knock in the training.
“I don’t know how long he is going to stay out. I think it’s nothing serious but we cannot risk players.”
The Red Devils take on Crystal Palace next weekend, where they’ll be looking to achieve a more favourable result against Oliver Glasner’s side.
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