[Ekeke]

First half he was mostly the same as his previous matches, 69% pass accuracy, had one shot that was blocked and then weakly tried to use his heel and put it wide with no threat so 0 shots on target, an inconsistant first touch, pressed a few times in the striker areas but at other times strolled around with no pressure on the ball

However 2nd half he started really well. 91% pass accuracy with several lay offs and bits of linkup play, some passes out towards Dorgu including one that pushed him a bit wide but when he got it back from Dorgu he found him again with a nice backheel. The accurate passing in the 2nd half pushed him up to 78% overall and while he didnt have any key passes in this match, his 2nd half distribution was much better and he looked like he could set something up.

Throughout the 2nd half his defending was miles better. He dropped into midfield more and was actually part of our ball winning setup and he had good success with 2 tackles and 2 interceptions in the 2nd half. He worked for the team and was rewarded.

The goal came from just getting his shot on target and shows why its been frustrating in previous games when he hadnt managed to get his shots on target. Sometimes all you need is to get it on target and the goalkeeper will do the rest for you. Again rewarded for an improvement in that area.

After the 63rd minute when Aramburu came on, Sociedad's usual rightback - an aggressive ball winner came on, along with other changes we didnt see much of him going forward anymore although it wasnt directly because of him as Zirkzee was playing very centrally from that point on and was either not found during moves or was unable to do more than basic stuff. I think it was more just how the game was going and Sociedad in general improving with their changes and defending better in the areas he was trying to get the ball and having some success going forward and pushing us back after they scored the penalty

Overall - Not impressed in the 1st half but 2nd half he did miles better in the areas where he needed to improve - Accurate passing, ball winning and effort to press, got a shot on target and it went in

Hopefully he carries on like the 2nd half

 

[jamesjimmybyrondean]

The smart thing to do would be to sell him while his value is still intact. I think his ceiling is not much different from what we’re already seeing and that’s not enough

 

[golden_blunder]

He’s a surprisingly good, strong tackler. He often emerges with the ball when he challenges.

He will be a good player when he’s able to knit everything together

 

[Yagami]

I'll be gone for over a month after today so I'll use my last post to share his performance:



It missed a few moments. All of his aerial duels, some more of his defensive work, and a beautiful chip pass to Garnacho in our 3rd when most would've hoofed it under pressure.

He’s a surprisingly good, strong tackler. He often emerges with the ball when he challenges.

He will be a good player when he’s able to knit everything together

As big a fan of his I am, I will say the tempo Sociedad played at suited him to a tee.

If he can adjust to a faster tempo and put these types of performances in from the get go instead of when the opposition tires, he will be great as one of the 10s in this system.

Definitely one of the last players we have that I'd sell. So fun to watch.

 

[Olecurls99]

I'll be gone for over a month after today so I'll use my last post to share his performance:



It missed a few moments. All of his aerial duels, some more of his defensive work, and a beautiful chip pass to Garnacho in our 3rd when most would've hoofed it under pressure.


As big a fan of his I am, I will say the tempo Sociedad played at suited him to a tee.

If he can adjust to a faster tempo and put these types of performances in from the get go instead of when the opposition tires, he will be great as one of the 10s in this system.

Definitely one of the last players we have that I'd sell. So fun to watch.

Good game from him. Decent in possession and good work winning it back.

 

[Ekeke]

23 touches, 10 passes but at least it was 80% accuracy

Not able to continue the momentum from the 2nd half against Sociedad where he was better with and without the ball. But it was a difficult game for our striker and Hojlund wasnt much better

Edit - Did lose the ball a lot with 2 times tackled and 5 loose touches though. Once again he needs to improve it

 

[KirkDuyt]

Such a shame Raya luckily saves that backheel attempt.

Would've been the Zirkzee'est goal of all time.

 

[VP89]

Hes getting some good games together. There's obviously a player there that can make an impact. Some posts ruling him out were just plain silly

 

[criticalanalysis]

As with last game, he's putting himself about a lot, trying to affect the game on and off the ball. Good to see his commitment.

 

[Redstain]

Good performance, Rasmus always serves up a stinker against Saliba it was good to see him struggle occasionally and even get rolled a few times.

 

[Isotope]

A creative player. Although his creative mind often supersedes what his feet could do.

 

[Who's Kissing Cameras?]

Not great from him today against Gabriel and Saliba. He’s 6’3” but is the weakest big guy I’ve ever seen. Falls over with a breeze. Also his stamina isn’t great.

Very creative with the flicks and link up play sometimes.

 

[the_cliff]

I thought he played well today. Considering he was isolated against Saiba and Gabriella (yes Gabriella) all game.

That hold up play in the first half which led to the Mazraoui chance is what we need from him more often. If he can start to consistently do that he'll be a good player for us.

 

[Red00012]

He’s difficult to make out every time the ball came to him today he just went full Hojlund mode and it bounced off him and he gave possession away a few times. But it would have been a great goal only for Raya

 

[Amar__]

It was a tough game for him, he had Eriksen as his closest partner ffs. And I still think he did decent, much better than I expected him to do in a game like today's to be fair.

I am not his biggest fan but I would continue playing him as a striker, he is miles better than Hojlund. But he probably needs Bruno behind him and two runners on both sides.

 

[cpresc]

He’s not gonna bring us the title

Epitomises mediocre

 

[Bwuk]

He was unlucky with the backheel Raya saved, and his flick which set Dalot through for his cross for the Mazraoui shot was class.

 

[Ayoba]

He's just not very good. Did Ok upfront, but just ok isn't enough.

 

[Eagle_eye]

He's a class player, and is improving game on game, he just needs reliable partners to see the best out of him

 

[SirScholes]

He’s not gonna bring us the title

Epitomises mediocre

Or mid table

 

[sdb4884]

Hopefully he can maintain a decent level of form for the remainder of the season so we can recoup most what we paid for him in the summer. He's not part of our future, along with many others.

 

[bond19821982]

Not great from him today against Gabriel and Saliba. He’s 6’3” but is the weakest big guy I’ve ever seen. Falls over with a breeze. Also his stamina isn’t great.

Very creative with the flicks and link up play sometimes.

That's something every player struggles when they come to PL, from outside. Come on, lets not act as if we don't know this league.

He has the basic tools to work with. it all depends whether we have the patience and whether he has that determination to succeed here .

 

[Lash]

At 23, first season in the Prem, in a poor side, I actually am excited for him next season. When we have flying wingbacks and diallo back, I think he's going to be a big player in the squad.

 

[bosnian_red]

He's not an amazing player or anything but I have to say I like him. He works hard, he has good technique and composure, and physically he gives CBs a very good fight while being able to hold up the ball well. The sort of player who can develop into a really good target man, minus the whole scoring part as he really doesn't have scoring instincts. If he ever developed that though he could be a hell of a striker. But generally I think he's improved a lot in how he deals with defenders physically and he looks a lot stronger.

 

[bosnian_red]

Not great from him today against Gabriel and Saliba. He’s 6’3” but is the weakest big guy I’ve ever seen. Falls over with a breeze. Also his stamina isn’t great.

Very creative with the flicks and link up play sometimes.

I actually think he did well with them today. You have to understand Gabriel and Saliba are a top class pairing and both incredibly physical, nobody can bully them really. He grew into the game and got the better of them a few times.

 

[Pronewbie]

Mercurial ability on the ball with slightly more lows than highs, but works his socks off which is what most fans want to see. I'm okay with him as a squad player for another season if Amorim sees potential in him, as he can play as a 10 and a false 9.

 

[Dominos]

Hes getting some good games together. There's obviously a player there that can make an impact. Some posts ruling him out were just plain silly

United and their fans are very stubborn on accepting a player isn't up to it which is why we end up letting players stay far too long.

Not being good enough doesn't mean he's terrible. It means he doesn't have the attributes to be a significant player for what we need to be, which is at a bare minimum a consistent top 4 side.

He's an attacker with a poor goal record, and is really really slow. I'm not sure what kind of max potential he can even have given these two facts. At best he's going to be a tidy link up player who scores occasionally but not often enough.

 

[DavelinaJolie]

I thought he did quite well today more physical but not overly so, and he was a willing presser from the front as well.

 

[Red in STL]

United and their fans are very stubborn on accepting a player isn't up to it which is why we end up letting players stay far too long.

Not being good enough doesn't mean he's terrible. It means he doesn't have the attributes to be a significant player for what we need to be, which is at a bare minimum a consistent top 4 side.

He's an attacker with a poor goal record, and is really really slow. I'm not sure what kind of max potential he can even have given these two facts. At best he's going to be a tidy link up player who scores occasionally but not often enough.

And United have a lot of fans that decide a player/manager isn't good enough quicker than a world class sprinter can run the length of the OT pitch

 

[Shane88]

He's 6'3/6'4 and has a good frame to go with that. He needs to stop being so weak. He has strength and decent feet, good weapons to be an absolute nuisance for centre backs. Ruud could've showed him a thing or two.

 

[Wing Attack Plan R]

He has the same issue as Casemiro: stamina. Case still plays some lovely passes and puts in some card-worthy tackles, as does Z. Z appears gassed so early in matches, he hasn’t got the legs for the PL, but that could be improved with rigorous training.

The things he’s got going for him are a relatively low fee, and he’s 23. If he was Maguire-priced and 26, I think people would be calling for his head. There is still some time to see if he can up his tempo and improve accuracy. I can’t tell what his or Amorim’s final form will be, so maybe there’s a role for him.

 

[Brazilian_Ronaldo_9]

Hard to have a pop at this guy when you know he needs pace around him or good attacking players. He’s not the type to do it himself, he’s a piece in the puzzle.

He has a good touch and can bring the ball down to teammates. He’s improved his defending and workrate.

Reckon next season we can actually see if he works, we need a full team rather than Garnacho and Dorgu the only one with pace.

 

[Oscar Bonavena]

He's probably just about earned another season to fully prove himself, although a lot of that is due to the fact there are about half a dozen players who need to be out the door before him!

I've heard one or two people comparing him to Berbatov. Got to laugh at that. They do realise surely that whatever about similarities in style between the two players, Berbatov actually scored a shitload of goals as well?!

That's what Zirkzee needs to be measured on next season. If there isn't a marked upgrade in the volume of goals & assists next season, then he needs to be moved on. No point in keeping a player around just because he does a few fancy flicks now and again!

 

[Ekeke]

He's a class player, and is improving game on game, he just needs reliable partners to see the best out of him

How will that change him getting tackled and having loose touches that are recovered by opposition players? Individual improvement is all he needs

 

[SoCross]

He looked shattered yesterday. Was a decent performance, could have done better with holding the ball up at times.

A shame that flick didn’t find the back of the net, smart play by him.

 

[Shaw's Shank Redemption]

He is never going to be perfect. It's like the people who have a go at Bruno Fernandes to try an awkward pass which might loose possession but if it comes through it can really break down the opposition.

Zirkzee is like a forward version of that, a risk taker which we might loose possession but it can also carve out open chances too.

 

[Hernandez - BFA]

Already been mentioned but my biggest disappointment in him is how he doesn’t seem to use his size well at all. Feels like he loses all aerial dukes and just falls backwards when he’s reversing into someone by trying to win a free kick rather than using his size to control/touch it on.

He’ll be here next season so I do hope he kicks on.

 

[Gaidal]

Didn't see the full game, but thought he looked exactly like Höjlund, tactics + our terrible passes/longballs to a single CF battling with two cbs is never gonna work.

 

[Real Name]

He's not an amazing player or anything but I have to say I like him. He works hard, he has good technique and composure, and physically he gives CBs a very good fight while being able to hold up the ball well. The sort of player who can develop into a really good target man, minus the whole scoring part as he really doesn't have scoring instincts. If he ever developed that though he could be a hell of a striker. But generally I think he's improved a lot in how he deals with defenders physically and he looks a lot stronger.

Yeah, he's definitely getting the grip of the league more and more every game.

 

[WangJianLin]

I do wonder if a bit of physical conditioning in the summer could add a yard of pace to his game. It would do so much for him as a player and his value to the team. At the moment he is just too slow on and off the ball, and it’s a shame because I really enjoy watching him at points, and he’s got such a unique profile.

Unfortunately I think it’s likely he’ll go in the summer, as he one of those we might actually get a bit of cash for.