Joshua Zirkzee's late goal in Manchester United's injury-time comeback against Aston Villa has intensified the debate over his role at the club, with the Dutchman yet to start a game in any competition this season despite scoring twice in 186 minutes of football.
Zirkzee converted Patrick Dorgu's low cross to get United's comeback underway on Sunday, a smart first-time finish that helped save the job of a manager who rarely selects him. It was his second goal of the campaign, following his consolation strike against Como.
Transfer interest and missed moves
It is something of a surprise that Zirkzee is still at Old Trafford. Several Serie A clubs looked at bringing him back to Italy in the summer, with Juventus and Fiorentina close to moves late in the transfer window. Everton then tried to sign him on loan in the final couple of hours of deadline day, without success.
The Toffees did not need him, with Thierno Barry's remarkable turnaround from wayward cast-off to prolific Premier League striker perhaps an example for Zirkzee, and for Michael Carrick. Barry has gone from eight goals in 41 games last season to 10 in 13 this term.
Struggles and tactical fit
Zirkzee has 11 goals in 85 games for United since his £36.5 million move from Bologna in July 2024. He looks a technically accomplished footballer but has not used his physique well enough as a striker for United and looks unsure whether he is a No.9 or a No.10.
Having failed to sign a striker in the summer and seen Benjamin Sesko sidelined for another three or four months, things are getting desperate for Carrick. Zirkzee might at least simplify United's attacking approach, as he showed when he came on for Bryan Mbeumo with seven minutes, plus stoppage time, still to play against Aston Villa.
Heat maps and positional contrast
Zirkzee stayed central and was in the position you would expect to see your centre-forward, just as Sesko would be if he was fit. Mbeumo interprets the role very differently, as contrasting heat maps and touch maps show: Zirkzee played like a traditional striker, while Mbeumo was all over the pitch.
Carrick has had success with Mbeumo as his striker since taking over in January, but this now feels like a team that has lost its way tactically. The approach of offering the front three some off-the-cuff freedom is not working.
Need for structure
United need more structure in their play, and having a striker more willing to occupy the centre-backs and stay within the penalty area could offer that. It would also mean Mbeumo could move back to the right wing, where he is better.
Zirkzee has started just one of Carrick's 32 games in charge of United, which makes it all the more extraordinary that he was not sold or loaned out with an option or obligation to buy in the summer. He has rarely looked good enough, and it seems pretty clear Carrick does not rate him.
But things are getting desperate. Sesko will be sidelined for at least another two months, and it is also two months until United could look to sign a striker in January. With neither Matheus Cunha nor Mbeumo looking comfortable through the middle, perhaps it is time to simplify things by bringing Zirkzee in and telling him to play within the confines of the penalty box, rather than drifting wide. United need a focal point, and the unwanted Zirkzee might just be that man.
