Joshua Zirkzee image 11

Joshua Zirkzee Netherlands flag

2025-26 Performances


View full 2025-26 profile

4.7 Season Average Rating
Appearances
25
Goals
2
Assists
1
Yellow cards
2
Weird cos whenever any training footage or footage from anywhere other than the pitch is posted he looks like an absolute buffoon and is always playing the clown.

Kind of like that kid in your class who shouts out and makes everyone laugh but by the time you get to exams you need him gone because he’s not actively contributing anything that will achieve success.
I guess it’s not so weird that a few incidental snapshots from the training ground can give a completely wildcard BS random impression of what’s actually going on during the hundreds of ours the coaches and players spend there training.
 
Would swap him in a heartbeat for Weighurst (the Weighurst we had - no idea what he’s like years later).

But he put in the effort. He was crap, but he helped other players out by occupying defenders. Zirkzee is a complete waste of space.
Agreed Weghorst was terrible, Zirkzee is even worse, which is pretty amazing cause I didn’t we could find one, let alone actually pay for one.
 
Took him half a season to get fit when he arrived. I think that is a laziness issue.

He might have turned it around a bit but then you see the performance against Newcastle.
Well, my point, which is a point also made from a few people close to the club, is that there is not necessarily a contradiction between a player working very hard in training and a player spending half a season getting his particular physicality up to PL scratch. Or a player working very hard in training and on the pitch, but due to factors like instructions, bad reading of the game, confusion and lack of confidence looks ‘lazy’ to an ordinary matchgoer or even a qualified pundit with no background information. It has happened many times before.

Lukaku and Martial are instances of players were a manager have revealed later that they were working very hard in a period were they were simultaneously labeled lazy by outsiders like us.
 
Well, my point, which is a point also made from a few people close to the club, is that there is not necessarily a contradiction between a player working very hard in training and a player spending half a season getting his particular physicality up to PL scratch. Or a player working very hard in training and on the pitch, but due to factors like instructions, bad reading of the game, confusion and lack of confidence looks ‘lazy’ to an ordinary matchgoer or even a qualified pundit with no background information. It has happened many times before.

Lukaku and Martial are instances of players were a manager have revealed later that they were working very hard in a period were they were simultaneously labeled lazy by outsiders like us.
All you need to look at is the pathetic lack of effort when he came on against Newcastle.

It was 100% unacceptable and he should never get in the squad again after that.

The worst "effort" I've ever seen.
 
I guess it’s not so weird that a few incidental snapshots from the training ground can give a completely wildcard BS random impression of what’s actually going on during the hundreds of ours the coaches and players spend there training.
Every snapshot - he’s always doing some mad shit basically anything other than looking like a professional footballer trying to improve his form after 18 months of being woeful.

If anything, when cameras are rolling given the huge media focus on our club and the calling out of the players over time, our players should look like model pros not buffoons even more so on camera

Thought we’d left this kind of clown behind with clearing the Lingards etc out of the club
 
I’m a midfielder. When I have been forced to play as a forward, I am lost. I don’t know how or when to time runs, I can’t hold up the ball playing back to goal, I’m always a step late. Just like Zirkzee, in other words.
 
I am not a fan of Zirkzee at all, but to be fair if you thought all the way up to the match that you were being sold to make space for Semenyo and then suddenly, only because Semenyo snubbed us, were told you have to stay – how well would you play?

Amorim is a master of demoralizing certain players and playing ignorant of his shitty actions
There’s a lot to criticize the manager for, but I feel you’re reaching a bit here. Even if it were the case, the guy is a professional and gets paid a boat load of money to perform. The least one could do is put in the required effort - no matter what’s happened in the background.

Also, we’ve supposedly moved away from the manager having full power and control over signings, so signing Semenyo and getting rid of Zirkzee shouldn’t be laid squarely at the feet of Zirkzee (assuming any of this happened anyway). Trying to move him on has more to do with the 18 months of performances he’s shown with us, then anything or anyone else.

He seems an ok lad, but he’s just not suited to this league at all. I hope he’s moved on asap. Even if we’re unable to bring another attacker in, we’re still better off either promoting youth or pushing Bayindir up top (yeah I’m only half serious).
 
Just offered nothing despite the goal. Did think subbing him at halftime was premature though, and Fletcher was not the right replacement.
Premature and moronic. We're already bereft of attacking talent, and at least Zirkzee might be capable of conjuring a moment. There was zero chance of Fletcher doing that.
 
Got a goal and a good assist. Would be a fitting farewell in someways.
 
Big mistake to start both strikers and then sub one of them off at half time when we needed a goal and with no real options to impact the game in the latter stages.

Once he had started Zirkzee, he really should have stuck with him rather than turning to much less experienced options.
 
He was shite. Couldn’t care less that he was subbed; it was the wrong player coming on.

Enjoy Rome.
 
Still can't believe Amorim doesn't have the eyes to play 2 strikers in a partnership in a 352.

Sesko - Zirkzee
Cunha
Instead he uses Zirkzee as a RW and Cunha as his LW in a 343.

I enjoy watching Zirkzee more than I enjoy watching Amorim.

If I had to keep one then it would be Zirkzee over Amorim's clueless boring football.
 
He was shite. Couldn’t care less that he was subbed; it was the wrong player coming on.

Enjoy Rome.
Seriously why not bring Chido on? I'm with you on subbing Zirkzee, but to replace him with an attacking non-entity like Fletcher makes zero sense.
 
Seriously why not bring Chido on? I'm with you on subbing Zirkzee, but to replace him with an attacking non-entity like Fletcher makes zero sense.
I imagine as Fletcher played last game and is actually a 10, where Zirkzee was meant to be playing.
 
Still can't believe Amorim doesn't have the eyes to play 2 strikers in a partnership in a 352.

Sesko - Zirkzee
Cunha
Instead he uses Zirkzee as a RW and Cunha as his LW in a 343.

I enjoy watching Zirkzee more than I enjoy watching Amorim.

If I had to keep one then it would be Zirkzee over Amorim's clueless boring football.
If you’re playing football manager then that’s probably the way to go. But in reality, Zirkzee is shite whether he’s played 10, right 10 or upfront. I don’t think it would have made a big difference.
 
Still can't believe Amorim doesn't have the eyes to play 2 strikers in a partnership in a 352.

Sesko - Zirkzee
Cunha
Instead he uses Zirkzee as a RW and Cunha as his LW in a 343.

I enjoy watching Zirkzee more than I enjoy watching Amorim.

If I had to keep one then it would be Zirkzee over Amorim's clueless boring football.
It's almost crazy how much he avoids playing these players to their strengths sometimes. Even all of these three at their worst would stand much more of a chance if they'd get a chance at just any formation like this, whether that's 3-4-1-2 or 4-3-1-2, no one cares. But for some reason that is not a possibility whatsoever to Amorim. It's not about the formation, but it's also all about the formation. Why so rigid, especially if three important players are off to the AFCON? Now you have two not too creative midfielders making the play and looking for players of which at least two have to get used to odd positional responsibilities for their specific experiences. Might as well just play a park the bus kick and rush formation if you're aiming for a few lucky breaks.
 
Has there been any confirmation whether he was carrying an injury or not?

He had a pretty rancid first half (par for the course really) but he did get a goal, by hook or by crook. If that sub was tactical, it was yet another moronic decision by Amorim.
 
It's almost crazy how much he avoids playing these players to their strengths sometimes. Even all of these three at their worst would stand much more of a chance if they'd get a chance at just any formation like this, whether that's 3-4-1-2 or 4-3-1-2, no one cares. But for some reason that is not a possibility whatsoever to Amorim. It's not about the formation, but it's also all about the formation. Why so rigid, especially if three important players are off to the AFCON? Now you have two not too creative midfielders making the play and looking for players of which at least two have to get used to odd positional responsibilities for their specific experiences. Might as well just play a park the bus kick and rush formation if you're aiming for a few lucky breaks.

Everytime I see Cunha for Brazil he is playing as the Central CAM.

He also scores goals for Brazil as a CAM because it allows him to centrally run from deep directly towards the goal rather than at an angle having to beat a player from out wide.

It's simple tactics built to get the best out of players, not to get the best out of one formation.

He doesn't understand his own players strengths and weaknesses very well; ultimately because he doesn't really care. It's all about his formation.
 
Has there been any confirmation whether he was carrying an injury or not?

He had a pretty rancid first half (par for the course really) but he did get a goal, by hook or by crook. If that sub was tactical, it was yet another moronic decision by Amorim.

Amorim confirmed in his post match comments the change was tactical and had nothing to do with an injury.
 
Did he take him off because he blamed him for their goal?

I just don't see how it was tactical doing what he did, more vindictive.
 
Still can't believe Amorim doesn't have the eyes to play 2 strikers in a partnership in a 352.

Sesko - Zirkzee
Cunha
Instead he uses Zirkzee as a RW and Cunha as his LW in a 343.

I enjoy watching Zirkzee more than I enjoy watching Amorim.

If I had to keep one then it would be Zirkzee over Amorim's clueless boring football.

It's what Farke had done at Leeds, led to DCL finding his scoring boots.

Zirkzee has been playing incredibly poorly and he doesn't help himself with how he lumbers about the pitch.
 
Ridiculous how he was deployed last night. Had to be the support striker in a 4-2-3-1 with runners around him. Dorgu to the right of him, Cunha to the left and Sesko up top.

We all know that except Ruben. Zirkzee is not the best player, very average; deploying him in a wrong position will only make it worse.
 
Did he take him off because he blamed him for their goal?

I just don't see how it was tactical doing what he did, more vindictive.
His explanation was that Case and Ugarte were being outmanned in midfield and so he needed to bring on another midfielder to gain control. He specifically referenced Zirkzee needing to step up and win duels before the game started and of course he was his usual lethargic self so it was inevitable he would be hooked first. It is clear he wants to move on as the effort levels have hit new lows in the last couple of games, maybe he has his justifications for that but he still should not be starting if he isn’t going to give 100%.
 
On the point of laziness, this is the guy who, playing for Bayern in preseason, got one on one with the keeper, took the ball pass him, had a wide open goal but didn't score because he wanted to stroll and walk the ball into the net. A defender hustled (something Zirkzee is allergic to) and took the ball off him inches away from the goal line.

I remember watching a video of that way before he came to United and thought "what a clown." Little did I know he'd be a United player years later.
 
I’d be fond of him and maybe in a better United squad with a settled system he’d of been a good sub. But one thing I can’t accept is lack of intensity and i feel he’s been bad the last 2 games. Whether it’s pressure or he’s not mentally on it , that I can’t forgive so he’s probably on his way out.

He really did show glimpses of real class , Berbatov level sexy stuff but not enough goals and in the end he didn’t take the chances he got.
 
Leeds United 1:1 Man Utd
Good half. Nice pass for the goal, and was our main player looking for forward passes in the 2nd half in attack