Joshua Zirkzee has avoided a ban following his controversial celebration during Manchester United’s dramatic win over Southampton on Thursday.
The striker, brought on as a substitute for Rasmus Højlund, played a key role in the late comeback. United scored three times in the final moments, with Amad Diallo completing his first career hat-trick.
During the celebration of Diallo’s third goal, Zirkzee turned to the Stretford End and performed a suggestive gesture, sparking controversy.
Fans feared Zirkzee might face disciplinary action after Jude Bellingham received a one-match ban and a £25,000 fine for a similar incident during Euro 2024. However, the Football Association opted not to penalize Zirkzee, instead issuing a reminder of his responsibilities.
United’s manager, Ruben Amorim, acknowledged the inconsistency in the team’s performances despite the victory. Southampton, the Premier League’s bottom side with just six points in 21 games, had managed to lead late into the match before United’s resurgence.
Amorim has frequently warned of challenges as the players adapt to his tactics mid-season. He highlighted the lack of training time due to a packed schedule, mentioning that the team has had only seven proper training sessions over their last 14 games.
The manager also admitted that fatigue has been affecting his squad. Manuel Ugarte, one of United’s big-money summer signings, was singled out after scoring an own goal against Southampton.
Despite struggling in the match, Amorim defended Ugarte, attributing his performance to exhaustion from previous games.
Looking ahead, Manchester United faces Brighton on Sunday and Rangers in the Europa League next week, leaving little time for recovery.
Amorim remains optimistic, emphasizing the importance of persistence and adapting to the demands of the Premier League schedule.
As United continues their season, balancing performances and player fitness will remain a significant challenge for Amorim and his squad.