Dimitar Berbatov has delivered a scathing assessment of Manchester United’s current attacking struggles, claiming that Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund look “lost” under manager Ruben Amorim’s system.
United suffered their 12th Premier League defeat of the season against Tottenham on Sunday, leaving them in a shocking 15th place just 12 points above the relegation zone.
The club’s attacking woes have worsened following the injury blow to Amad Diallo, their standout performer this season, who is now ruled out for the rest of the campaign.
With limited attacking options, Amorim has relied on Zirkzee, Hojlund, and Alejandro Garnacho, a trio that has collectively managed just one goal in 2025.
However, Berbatov believes the current system is failing the strikers, particularly Zirkzee, who was deployed in an unfamiliar No. 10 role against Spurs.
“You can see that Zirkzee is being played out of position, running all over the place, looking lost,” Berbatov said on Premier League Productions. “He can’t use his best qualities in that role.”
The former United forward also expressed concern over Hojlund, who he believes is being overworked in Amorim’s 3-4-3 setup.
The Danish striker is frequently forced to track back and cover midfield gaps, leaving him drained by the time United transition into attack.
“Hojlund is wasting all his energy tracking back because the midfield is too stretched. By the time he gets forward, he’s already exhausted,” Berbatov added.
With morale at an all-time low at Old Trafford, Berbatov warned that senior players, including captain Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire, may soon start questioning Amorim’s tactics and approach.
“If you’re playing in a struggling team like this, it affects your mentality,” he said. “Experienced players might start going to the coach and saying, ‘Coach, this isn’t working.’”
With United’s crisis deepening, questions continue to mount over whether Amorim’s tactical setup is bringing out the best in his players or if a major overhaul is needed before it’s too late.