Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee has received a damning verdict from Michael Owen following his uninspired performance in Monday night's disappointing 1-0 defeat to Everton.
The Dutch forward was handed his first Premier League start of the season at Old Trafford but failed to make an impact as United struggled to break down ten-man Everton.
Missed Opportunity Against Ten Men
With regular starters Benjamin Sesko injured and Matheus Cunha withdrawing last-minute due to a training knock, manager Ruben Amorim had little choice but to start Zirkzee.
The situation appeared to turn in United's favour when Everton's Idrissa Gueye was sent off after just 13 minutes for slapping his own teammate, Michael Keane.
Despite dominating possession and registering 25 shots, United couldn't capitalise on their numerical advantage. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's goal secured a shocking away victory for Everton, ending United's five-game unbeaten league streak.
Owen's Brutal Assessment
Former England striker Michael Owen didn't hold back in his criticism of Zirkzee during his analysis for Premier League Productions.
"I can't watch him and get excited, I must admit," Owen stated bluntly. "They are almost resorting to playing like this with hopeful crosses because he's in there. If you have Cunha playing, a different profile of player, you probably don't go knocking crosses in all game."
Owen suggested that Zirkzee simply doesn't fit Amorim's preferred system, adding: "It's not how Manchester United want to play and I always think if you start lumping the ball it becomes desperation. He doesn't excite me at all."
The 24-year-old did come close to scoring with a late header that forced an impressive save from Jordan Pickford, but it wasn't enough to change the narrative of his performance.
An Uncertain Future at Old Trafford
Zirkzee's struggles are becoming increasingly concerning for United supporters. The £36million signing from Bologna in July 2024 has managed just seven goals and three assists in 55 appearances for the club.
His situation has deteriorated further this season with the big-money arrivals of Sesko, Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo for over £200million, pushing him down the pecking order.
With no European football and an early Carabao Cup exit to Grimsby, opportunities have been scarce. Zirkzee is yet to score or assist in six appearances this season.
Despite the criticism, Amorim may need to rely on Zirkzee more in the coming weeks. With Sesko still injured and Mbeumo heading to the Africa Cup of Nations next month alongside Noussair Mazraoui and Amad Diallo, United's attacking options are thinning.
The defeat leaves United languishing in 10th place in the Premier League as they prepare for their next match against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
