Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim faces a fresh selection headache after his £36.5 million striker, Joshua Zirkzee, delivered a deeply concerning performance in a 1-0 home defeat to Everton on Monday.
With first-choice forward Benjamin Sesko sidelined with a knee injury, Zirkzee was handed his first start of the season but failed to make any meaningful impact during his 90 minutes on the pitch.
A Worrying Display
Despite his imposing 6ft 4in frame, the Dutch international struggled profoundly with the basics of centre-forward play. He was largely ineffective in the air and consistently failed to connect with crosses, raising serious questions about his ability to fulfil target man duties alongside his designated false nine role.
The statistics painted a bleak picture. Zirkzee won just six duels throughout the match – a staggering 20 fewer than Everton's forward Thierno Barry. He was also registered as United's least accurate player when in possession of the ball.
Perhaps most tellingly, his average positioning in the first half was deeper than midfielders Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, and Patrick Dorgu, highlighting his inability to lead the line effectively and posing a significant problem for Amorim's attacking structure.
Amorim's Search for a Solution
With Sesko not expected back from injury until early December, Amorim must find an immediate fix for United's next fixture against Crystal Palace. The continued underwhelming form of Zirkzee since his £36.5m arrival from Bologna in 2024 has left the squad without a reliable Plan B.
Several potential solutions are being considered. One option involves deploying captain Bruno Fernandes in the false nine role. This tactical shift would allow wingers Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo to attack higher up the pitch. It would also facilitate the introduction of Kobbie Mainoo into the starting lineup alongside Casemiro, satisfying calls for the youngster to receive more minutes. This move, however, is contingent on Cunha recovering from the minor knock that kept him out of the Everton match.
Another, more adventurous, solution could be to turn to youth. Seventeen-year-old striker Chido Obi is known for his physical presence and has been in scintillating form for the U21s, scoring seven goals and providing three assists in 18 appearances.
Former United star Dwight Yorke is among those advocating for this approach. 'I would like to see Chido Obi put in if Sesko is out,' Yorke said. 'If you’re good enough to be at United, you’ve got to give them a chance. History has shown that this is a club where young players get that opportunity.'
The January Transfer Window Looms
Looking beyond the immediate crisis, the longer-term future of Joshua Zirkzee at Old Trafford appears increasingly uncertain. It has been heavily rumoured that the club could look to offload the Dutchman in the January transfer window.
Should he depart, United would be expected to recruit a new striker to provide proper competition and cover for Sesko. The club has been linked with a fresh move for Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta, whose contract talks have reportedly stalled. Another name on the radar is Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo, a winger who can also operate effectively through the middle.
For now, the pressure is on Ruben Amorim to find a short-term answer that can reignite United's faltering attack and keep their top-four ambitions on track.
