When one door closes, another opens. A lightened workload this season means Manchester United do not need to shuffle the pack much. Especially as things, at long last, seem to be heading in the right direction.
Such is the preference for continuity that, in the draw with Nottingham Forest on 1 November, Ruben Amorim named his first unchanged Premier League line-up since taking charge 11 months prior.
That left those on the periphery left on the outside with faces pressed up against the glass with no opportunities, as United have no European football and exited the Carabao Cup embarrassingly early at Grimsby.
One of those disgruntled fringe players is Joshua Zirkzee. At a crucial juncture in his career, the 24-year-old is contemplating his future. The big-money arrival of Benjamin Sesko and fine form of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have restricted Zirkzee to a grand total of 89 league minutes this season, all from the bench.
West Ham and Everton are keen on ending Zirkzee’s misery, even if only on loan, while Roma see the Dutchman as the perfect fit for their fluid system. Having forged his reputation in Italy, a host of other top Serie A clubs are expected to make an enquiry in January. Another player to arrive with so much promise yet flattering to deceive – a scene somewhat endemic around Old Trafford in recent years.
However, Zirkzee may redeem himself yet. Sesko’s latest injury, one that could keep him sidelined for around a month, gives Amorim one of those selection dilemmas you want. He has, when not deploying the Slovenian previously, opted to go with a false nine of either Mason Mount or Cunha, with the in-form Amad Diallo pushed further forward.
To continue his side’s resurgence, Amorim should instead give the most deserving member of the United roster his time to shine. And the results could be even more burgeoning.
Zirkzee has had every right to down tools and wait for his expected January exit. Having gone from being booed by his own supporters when substituted in the first half against Newcastle last December, Zirkzee went from rock bottom to one of the few players who could hold their heads up high as last season lurched from one disaster to the next.
Such form made him a popular figure among supporters, who appreciated the palpable graft in instigating the turnaround. Then a new £200m strike force arrived and it was back to square one. All paths to the first team closed.
Behind the scenes of Zirkzee’s revival
While he is considering his options in January, there has been no rebellion. No letting up on the training field. Quite the opposite, several insiders told The i Paper.
Zirkzee is a popular figure around the United dressing room, having forged an especially close bond with Bruno Fernandes. His wild celebrations after the thrilling victory at Anfield, despite not even having got on the pitch at all, spoke volumes for his general mood. As does the embrace from teammates. A desire to make things work in England persists.
More pertinently, Zirkzee fits into Amorim’s system like a driving glove. His modus operandi is a stylish way of bringing others into play. With Cunha flying down one side and Mbeumo the other, Zirkzee’s fleet of foot has the outlets to make his greatest asset a handy tool indeed.
Keeping Cunha and Mbeumo fizzing will be key to United actually getting all the way around that proverbial turned corner. While Cunha can aptly function as a central striker, cutting in off the flank and turning on the dynamism is where he can really make a difference.
Your next read
Mount is a safer option, one that has proved effective on occasion. However, he readily admits that operating as one of Amorim’s floating No 10s out wide is where he feels most at home.
Three of the four matches Sesko could be absent for are against Everton, West Ham and Wolves – three of the bottom eight. Prime time for a little bit of tinkering, without truly toppling the apple cart.
And if not now, then Zirkzee will almost certainly seek pastures new in the coming months. A potential exit should not come before one final shot at driving real lasting change around Old Trafford.
from Football - The i Paper https://ift.tt/tugWFo7
Post a Comment