Joshua Zirkzee has been told his time at Manchester United could be coming to an end after his poor performance against Sunderland.
The Dutchman was handed his first start under Michael Carrick for the Red Devils’ 0-0 draw at the Stadium of Light, but struggled make his mark on the game.
4
After United secured Champions League football with victory over Liverpool last week, Zirkzee came in for the injured Benjamin Sesko.
With the club expected to allow him to leave in the summer, two years on from his £36.5million arrival from Bologna, this was one of the 24-year-old’s last chances to fight for his United career.
But Zirkzee failed to convince anyone of his worth with his performance at Sunderland.
His hold-up play regularly let him down, and he squandered a huge opportunity to create a chance on the counter attack.
After being played through by Mason Mount, Zirkzee led a four-on-three on the right-and side of Sunderland’s box, but failed to pick out a teammate, with his cross hitting the first fan.
‘Not a Man United player’
Zirkzee’s afternoon was brought to an end in the 65th minute, as he was replaced by Patrick Dorgu minutes after picking up a yellow card.
But eSPORTY’s Micky Gray believed his afternoon should have been cut short even earlier.
Speaking live from the game, he said: “For the life of me I don’t know how Bryan Mbeumo has not come on at half time for Joshua Zirkzee.
“He’s just not a Man United player. I’m sorry to say it, but everything bounces off him as a striker.
“He’s a huge guy but for somebody who’s so big and tall and strong as he is, he’s just so weak.
4
4
“And I can’t believe he’s actually still playing for Manchester United.
“I think he’s certainly one of the players that you’re trying to move on in the summer.”
End of the road?
Zirkzee’s performance against Sunderland summed up his Man United career, which has never really got going.
Having joined the club under Erik ten Hag in 2024, the Netherlands star met a stumbling block when the Dutchman was sacked months later and replaced by Ruben Amorim.
His early displays weren’t always convincing, and he was famously hauled off after just 33 minutes in a league match against Newcastle.
Despite this, Zirkzee was often favoured Rasmus Hojlund under Amorim last season, but managed just seven goals in all competitions.
4
His second season has proved a much tougher affair, especially since Carrick’s arrival as interim manager in January.
Prior to the Sunderland clash, he had featured exclusively off the bench, with Benjamin Sesko being preferred up front.
Zirkzee has managed just two goals all season – both of which came in the Amorim era – having last found the net in a 1-1 draw with bottom club Wolves in December.
His display against Sunderland came just 24 hours after eSPORTY’s Chief Football Correspondent and United fan Alex Crook suggested Zirkzee could still play a role for the club next season.
With Champions League football secured ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, the Red Devils will need to draw on their squad depth to cope with more fixtures, and Crook believes the forward’s technical ability could come in handy here.
Overall in his Man United career, Zirkzee has made 73 appearances, scoring just nine goals and providing four assists.
