Rúben Amorim has been advised that he should be starting one of this Manchester United squad every single week following the loss against Grimsby Town.
Manchester United’s first three fixtures of the season have not gone to plan, with Rúben Amorim still searching for a win.
After spending over £200 million on four players this summer, namely headline signings Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Šeško, United’s opening competitive fixture of the campaign was a 1-0 loss against Arsenal.
This was followed by a drab 1-1 draw away from home against Fulham, before Amorim’s side fell to League Two side Grimsby Town on penalties in the Carabao Cup, having gone 2-0 down in the first half.
After a positive pre-season, Amorim has suddenly found himself under major pressure after failing to secure a win this season, with patience around the club once again wearing thin.
Amorim must be starting Zirkzee every week
One player who’s not been seen so far this season before the Grimsby tie is Joshua Zirkzee, who missed pre-season through injury and was an unused substitute for the first two Premier League ties.
After coming on for a few minutes against Grimsby, the Netherlands striker looked good on the ball and tried to drive United forward when he could. Former United winger Lee Sharpe believes his “lively” cameo demonstrates that the 24-year-old should be playing more minutes and starting every week.
Speaking exclusively to UtdDistrict on behalf of William Hill, the 54-year-old said: “I’ve got a lot of time for Zirkzee – I think he’s a fantastic player. He came on last night with about seven or eight minutes to go, which isn’t enough.
“He looked sharp, lively, and I wish he’d get more minutes. I’m not sure if he’s a full number nine or more of a number 10, but ability-wise, I’d love to see him in the starting XI every week.”
United have fixture rotation problem
With United out of the Carabao Cup and not participating in European football this season, the club will not play another midweek fixture until early December, when West Ham visits Old Trafford.
United have signed three attacking players this summer, and with Marcus Rashford, Garnacho, and Antony all having departed or set to leave, Amorim has added much-needed depth and ability to his forward department.
However, with no midweek fixtures for a few months, who starts and who does not becomes an unwanted extra piece of scrutiny. With no doubt being pressure to start £66 million signing Šeško alongside Cunha and Mbeumo, Zirkzee may find his pathway blocked.
Also, there is an argument to be had that the Dutchman is better suited to one of Amorim’s two attacking midfielders, but if Cunha and Mbeumo perform, Zirkzee may not be afforded the minutes Sharp feels he deserves.
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