Ruben Amorim has been told why he should be planning to start one Manchester United star for the first time this season against Sunderland.
Manchester United return to Old Trafford ahead of the October international break, preparing to face Sunderland for the first time since April 2017.
It’s been a tough start to the season for Ruben Amorim, with United winning just two of their opening six Premier League fixtures. They currently sit 14th in the table; only one place above last season’s disappointing 15th-place finish.
Sunderland, on the other hand, have made a strong impression in their top-flight comeback. Under Régis Le Bris, they’ve collected 11 points from six matches and sit fifth in the standings.
Following a 3-1 loss away to Brentford, the pressure is growing on Amorim to steady the ship and restore confidence among United supporters.
Amorim told exactly why he must start Zirkzee vs Sunderland
Ahead of the game on the weekend, Amorim has been told that he should give Joshua Zirkzee his first start of the season.
The Dutchman, who was signed for £36 million in the summer of 2024, was injured over the summer but has been among the substitutes throughout the campaign so far and made four appearances off the bench.
Ex-United winger Lee Sharpe believes that Zirkzee deserves more minutes and suggested that he could start over the likes of Amad or Benjamin Šeško.
“I think Zirkzee should be getting games,” Sharpe told AceOdds. “I’m a big fan of Zirkzee and I think he should have played instead of Amad in the No. 10 role. Or even play instead of Šeško because I don’t think he’s quite up to speed yet.
“I know he [Šeško] needs time to get up to speed with the Premier League and I think it could be killing his confidence, the way they’ve thrown him in at the moment.”
Šeško needs to build momentum
It is not clear whether Sharpe’s comments came before or after the clash with Brentford, but now that he has scored his first goal for the club, he need to build further momentum.
The Slovenian striker has a great chance of adding a second goal against Sunderland and that could give him further confidence going forward.
But Zirkzee could still play in the no.10 role alongside Šeško – Matheus Cunha did not seem fully fit last time out and could be rotated.
Although, it feels like there is a better chance that Mason Mount comes into the team rather than the Dutchman.
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