October 18th 2024.
There has been quite a bit of speculation surrounding Manchester United's newest star, Joshua Zirkzee. Paul Merson, a former Premier League player, has expressed his doubts about the Dutchman and believes he should be left on the bench for their upcoming match against Brentford in the Premier League.
Despite scoring the winning goal on his debut against Fulham in August, Zirkzee has struggled to find the back of the net since then. He has received criticism for his recent performances and has often been benched by manager Erik ten Hag, who seems to prefer Rasmus Hojlund as his starting striker.
Merson, in a recent interview with Sportskeeda, shared his thoughts on the upcoming match between Manchester United and Brentford. He predicted that Brentford, known for their attacking style of play, will score early on in the game. However, he also mentioned that they have struggled to hold onto leads and secure wins, much like Manchester United.
Merson also stated that he believes ten Hag's position as manager is safe for now, especially with other top managers like Thomas Tuchel already unavailable. He also expressed his disappointment with the current state of Manchester United, a club that should be competing at the top of the table rather than worrying about teams like Brentford.
When discussing Zirkzee, Merson mentioned that he did well at his previous club Bologna, but the Premier League is a whole different level. With players like Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and Rasmus Hojlund also fighting for a spot in the front three, it can be challenging for Zirkzee to find consistent playing time.
Merson believes that Hojlund should start over Zirkzee in the match against Brentford, as he is a more clinical finisher and Manchester United will need goals to secure a win. He also mentioned that no matter who ten Hag decides to drop, he will receive criticism, which can be tough for a young player like Zirkzee.
Former Premier League star Paolo Di Canio also shared his thoughts on Zirkzee, suggesting that he would benefit from a loan move away from Manchester United. Di Canio believes that Zirkzee is not suited for the Premier League due to its faster and more physical nature, but he could thrive in a league like Serie A.
Despite his reservations about Zirkzee, Di Canio believes that a team like Juventus should try to sign him on loan. He mentioned that Zirkzee may not be a prolific goal scorer, but he brings a different skill set to the team and can make his teammates play better.
As Manchester United sits in 14th place in the Premier League table, they face a tough match against Brentford, who are currently above them in the standings. It will be interesting to see if Zirkzee gets a chance to redeem himself and prove his doubters wrong. Only time will tell if he can live up to the expectations at a club like Manchester United.
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