Rúben Amorim and Paul Scholes agree on Manchester United’s “best attacker”, he must start vs Arsenal

Paul Scholes and Rúben Amorim have agreed on one Manchester United player who all fans will say must start when Arsenal visit Old Trafford in the Premier League.

Manchester United’s Europa League knockout tie with Real Sociedad remains finely balanced after a 1-1 draw in the first leg. Joshua Zirkzee put United ahead in the second half, but Mikel Oyarzabal’s penalty ensured the Spanish side drew level.

United started on the front foot, dominating possession and dictating the tempo, yet struggled to break down Sociedad’s defense. Their first real threat came in the 37th minute when Zirkzee and Bruno Fernandes both had efforts blocked on the line. Sociedad grew into the game before halftime but failed to capitalise on their momentum.

United struck first after the break, with Zirkzee finishing off a well-worked move following Alejandro Garnacho’s cut-back. However, Sociedad were handed a lifeline when Fernandes was penalised for handball, allowing Oyarzabal to equalise from the spot with 20 minutes remaining.

Amorim responded by introducing Christian Eriksen for Garnacho in search of more control, but it was Sociedad who created the better chances late on. A vital save from André Onana in the dying moments ensured the tie remains level heading into the second leg at Old Trafford.

Amorim and Scholes agree on Zirkzee

While Zirkzee’s goal against Sociedad finally puts him back on the scoresheet, his overall performance was just one of many in the last six weeks that have garnered praise from United fans, with many now labelling him as the club’s “best attacker” in the continued absence of Amad.

The Dutch player’s start to life at Old Trafford was a hard one to watch, with the player failing to perform as a striker while looking a shadow of his former self.

However, in the last few months he has come on leaps and bounds, and after the Sociedad game, Amorim praised the player for his hard work and improvement in the last few months that resulted in a really important performance in Spain.

“He deserves because he is working really well, improving lots of things in the game, he was really important for us today,” Amorim told the press after the game.

This is a point that Paul Scholes agrees with. Speaking to TNT Sports, the former United midfielder explained he feels Zirkzee looks fitter than he did at the start of the season, and he is becoming a much better player.

“Yeah, do you know what, he actually looks better than he has done,” Scholes said of the 23-year-old while reviewing footage of his goal. “I think he looks fitter than earlier in the season, and he was able to do that.”

Zirkzee must start against Arsenal

Zirkzee has played a lot of football in the last few weeks, having started United’s last fix fixtures in a row, including playing all 90 minutes against Sociedad and 12 minutes against Fulham a few days prior.

Read More: 13 misplaced passes, 5 duels lost – Manchester United star must be dropped vs Arsenal, he left Rúben Amorim in “disbelief” vs Real Sociedad

However, his performances of late and goal on Thursday evening mean he must continue to start, with a big Premier League clash against Arsenal at Old Trafford up next.

Arsenal are known to be a very physical side both in midfield and in defence, and Zirkzee is one of the few players in the side right now who is able to battle with such a type of team, often using his 6 foot 3 frame to his advantage.

Zirkzee was playing more so off the left than the right today but has excelled in both wide attacking areas. Whichever side Amorim chooses to play the Dutchman on Sunday, he will hopefully continue to hand his team “important” displays.

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