Rúben Amorim continued to misprofile one Manchester United star in the 1-1 draw against West Ham United on Thursday evening.
Manchester United’s 1-1 draw against West Ham United will be a huge disappointment for Rúben Amorim, after they overcame the odds to beat Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park last weekend.
While United were without Matthijs de Ligt against the Hammers, the performance cannot be forgiven, especially considering Matheus Cunha was back fit and available.
Diogo Dalot was United’s only goalscorer on Thursday evening, with the rest of the squad looking toothless in attack, while continuing to look shaky in defence.
Some fans and pundits believe that United can’t improve while playing this system, as it doesn’t get the best out of many of their biggest talents. Even those who have played well this season could be playing better in a different role.
Luke Shaw – considered by many to be the best United player this season – could be affecting the game further in his natural left-back role; Amad is struggling for regular performances at wing-back, but can impress when he is pushed higher up the pitch; and Leny Yoro has shown his form, but struggles when asked to defend the wide areas – he would be much better as a central defender in a back four.
Amorim continues to misprofile Zirkzee
Joshua Zirkzee has started the last two matches as the centre-forward for Amorim, due to Benjamin Šeško’s injury against Tottenham Hotspur, although he hadn’t started a game this season until Everton on Monday, 24 November.
Against West Ham United, Zirkzee took just two shots and created 0 chances in his 78 minutes before he was replaced by Manuel Ugarte, as per FotMob. Perhaps his poor performance was down to the role he appeared to be asked to play by Amorim.
Like Šeško, Zirkzee stayed on the defensive line and ran the channels, likely due to instructions from the coaching staff. But the Netherlands international is known for his tendency to drop deeper and create chances through his quick feet.
While this was seen in his short spell under Erik ten Hag, Zirkzee hasn’t dropped deep to link play while playing as the central striker for Amorim.
Amorim’s frequent misprofiling of Zirkzee has knocked the confidence of the former Bayern Munich youngster, who now appears without ideas in front of goal and with the ball at his feet.
Could Zirkzee have been the striking solution?
Šeško’s summer transfer was not a cheap one, with the deal potentially going over £70 million, but was he actually needed, or could Zirkzee have become the answer to United’s striking problems?
If he is asked to play like the Slovenian, then no. He couldn’t be. However, if Zirkzee was given the freedom to play in the way that led United to spend over £35 million on him, then there is a case to be made.
United’s current formation doesn’t make use of a central No.10, but Zirkzee could occupy that space. He could drop off the defensive line and create confusion for the opposition – the defenders and midfielders wouldn’t know who to mark, with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo also on their minds.
Mbeumo and Zirkzee could form a relationship similar to the one the former Brentford forward had with Ivan Toney. United’s No.11 could drop off the backline, creating space in behind for Mbeumo to run into, before a ball is played to him.
While we will likely never know if Zirkzee could’ve been that man for United, he should’ve been afforded the opportunity before Jason Wilcox signed Šeško.
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