Joshua Zirkzee consoled Diogo Dalot on the Manchester United substitutes' bench after fans at Old Trafford booed him off. Michael Carrick substituted the full-back as part of a triple change midway through the second half of the Premier League fixture with Aston Villa.
Triple substitution and a late comeback
Patrick Dorgu replaced Dalot, with Amad and Youri Tielemans also withdrawn, as Mason Mount and Shea Lacey came on. The fifth and final change saw Bryan Mbeumo substituted for Zirkzee himself, after Ayden Heaven had superseded Harry Maguire at half-time.
Zirkzee scored United's third after being assisted by Dorgu, before the provider turned goalscorer to equalise off a Bruno Fernandes corner kick and rescue a point. A quarter of an hour before coming on, Zirkzee stood up and embraced Dalot after he entered their home dugout. The defender had conceded the penalty that Villa retook the lead with through John McGinn three minutes into the second half.
Familiar pain for Zirkzee
Zirkzee knows all too well what it is like to receive a hostile reception from the home fans at Old Trafford. He was booed off barely half an hour into United's 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United in late December 2024. Approaching two years later, Zirkzee was on hand to support Dalot. Carrick also backed his player after the match.
Asked about the boos, Carrick said: "We've got to be careful with that, I think. I understand the frustration, I understand the disappointment of the supporters, so I get it. We're all frustrated, we're all disappointed, and the players are as much as anyone, I guarantee you that. Diogo, he gives absolutely everything. He's played in different positions; he's played left-back; he's played really well at times."
Manager backs Dalot
"He gave away a penalty today. Maybe he can do a little bit better, alright, that's part of it; he's made a mistake, but he cares an awful lot, and he's giving everything. So I like what he brings to the team, I like what he brings to the group, I like what he brings to the whole environment and the culture that we've got. Picking a team and who plays the next game- that's a whole different decision, but it's a whole different game that we've got to look forward to now."
Dalot has featured in all but one of United's matches across all competitions this season. He has started all but two Premier League fixtures. However, as Carrick acknowledged, the full-back has played on both the left and right of defence.
