Manchester United looked like a different team as they started the new year on solid footing, drawing at Anfield and closing in on taking all three points.
It’s a start. Ruben Amorim has shown sadness on several occasions in recent months, with his tactical vision unable to find his rhythm and his players flattering to deceive.
The Portuguese coach did not hold back in his post-match interview despite the impressive and exhilarating 2-2 draw against Liverpool, baffled by his players’ inability to maintain any consistency.
But the seeds have been planted now; his ideas might have taken root. The Red Devils impressed, but their result at Anfield was a product of the midfielder’s imperious display, with Kobbie Mainoo holding strong against the hosts.
Kobbie Mainoo’s recent success
Mainoo was a beacon of hope for Man United last season, the latest to emerge from Carrington’s eternal production line and instrumentally guide Erik ten Hag throughout the campaign, scoring as his side beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
This year’s campaign has been more intense, with Mainoo missing part of the term through injury and perhaps struggling to project that precocious swagger he played with before the summer, free in his youthful style .
However, the 19-year-old has started to impress under Amorim’s wing in recent weeks, injecting some much-needed control off the bench against Newcastle United and flourishing against Liverpool. notably winning six of his 11 duels.
Man Utd must sell a player who earns more than Mainoo
Mainoo does his club proud as one of its top promising prospects, but not everyone who looks to establish himself thrives. In fact, Joshua Zirkzee, under fire, could even be headed for the exit just months after his arrival.
In July, Man United signed Zirkzee from Bologna for a fee of £36.5 million after winning the Serie A Young Player of the Year award, helping his team qualify for the Champions League.
It’s fair to say he had a difficult start to life in England. Zirkzee opened his tally with a winner against Fulham in August, coming off the bench and setting United up for the year with three points. However, he has struggled since then, with just four goals in 28 matches.
Perhaps the most concerning part is the failure to translate the quality that caused INEOS to take a chance and bring the dynamic to Old Trafford, lacking the mobility and physicality to really make their mark.
Joshua Zirkzee Stats (in the league) – 2023/24 vs 2024/25 | ||
|---|---|---|
Match statistics* | 23/24 (Series A) | 24/24 (First) |
Matches (departures) | 34 (32) | 20 (7) |
Goals | 11 | 3 |
Aids | 4 | 1 |
Shots (on target)* | 2.5 (0.9) | 0.8 (0.4) |
Success | 78% | 73% |
Key passes* | 1.3 | 0.5 |
Ball recoveries* | 3.0 | 1.3 |
Dribbling* | 1.5 | 0.3 |
Total duels (won)* | 4.1 (40%) | 1.5 (33%) |
Statistics via Couch Score (* = per game) | ||
His struggles were illustrated against Newcastle before the new year when he was taken off after just 34 minutes on the pitch. We mentioned that Mainoo had impressed off the bench, but the damage had already been done as Amorim’s side trailed 2-0 – it was a scoreline that flattered the hosts.
As such, the 23-year-old appears to have thrown in the towel. Caught Offside recently reported that Zirkzee informed his agent of his desire to leave and that he would be interested in returning to Italian football. Journalist Graeme Baileymeanwhile, suggested Juventus could bring him to Turin this winter with talks underway.
Given the Dutch international earns £105,000-a-week on top of his hefty transfer fee, it would be unforgivable for him to seek a way out so soon, even if he will be feeling emotional after his ignominious substitution against the Magpies.
His replacement, Mainoo, only earns a fraction of his £20,000-a-week salary, and while the England star will be aiming for a bumper new deal in the coming months or years, it’s still a good yardstick to highlight the problems behind Zirkzee’s career at United. .
Amorim begins building something at the Theater of Dreams and his vision cannot be compromised by runaway players. If the reports contain any truth, Zirkzee must be sold.
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