Joshua Zirkzee’s one-word reaction speaks volumes about Rúben Amorim’s big Manchester United risk

Joshua Zirkzee’s one-word reaction has spoken volumes about a big risk Rúben Amorim took when Manchester United faced Real Sociedad in the Europa League on Thursday evening.

Manchester United cruised into the Europa League quarter-finals with a 4-1 win over Real Sociedad, driven by a Bruno Fernandes hat-trick and a late strike from Diogo Dalot.

Sociedad took an early lead at Old Trafford through a Mikel Oyarzabal penalty, but United responded quickly, with Fernandes equalizing from the spot after Rasmus Højlund was fouled.

Fernandes put United ahead with another penalty early in the second half after Patrick Dorgu was brought down. Sociedad’s challenge faded further when Jon Aramburu was sent off for a reckless foul on Dorgu.

United capitalised on their advantage, with Fernandes completing his hat-trick before Dalot rounded off the scoring in stoppage time. Rúben Amorim’s side will now face Olympique Lyonnais in the quarter-finals.

Amorim’s big risk vs Sociedad

Amorim only made one change to his XI from the first leg against Sociedad, as Højlund, Zirkzee, Casemiro, and Garnacho all kept their places across the two European ties.

The only new player who featured against Sociedad from the start at Old Trafford who didn’t in the other was 18-year-old Ayden Heaven, who replaced Leny Yoro in the line-up following the latter’s injury against Arsenal.

Choosing to play Heaven for his first senior start in such a crucial fixture ahead of the experienced Victor Lindelöf was no doubt a bold call and a big risk from Amorim, but it paid dividends with the youngster impressing fans at Old Trafford.

Heaven played all 90 minutes on Thursday, completing 42 of his 49 attempted passes, having 64 touches, and winning all four of his duels.

He also made four clearances, two interceptions, and one recovery, winning a tackle and generally looking very composed for a player making his first-ever professional start.

Zirkzee’s one-word reaction to Heaven

The Old Trafford crowd were not the only ones impressed with the English defender, who signed for £1 million from Arsenal in January.

Joshua Zirkzee, who was also fantastic on the night and was substituted to a standing ovation himself, reacted to the Heaven display with a simple one-word message on Instagram.

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Sharing a post that United themselves dedicated to Heaven on his story at full time, Zirkzee added to the celebration of the youngster’s first start with the message “serious” accompanied by four exclamation marks.

AFter a rough start to life at United, Zirkzee has started to become a silent leader in the club’s dressing room. He is known to have formed a close connection and mentor role for young striker Chido Obi and is often spotted with him in the dressing room ahead of the game.

It seems as if the Netherlands striker is starting to pick up a similar role with Heaven, too.

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