Joshua Zirkzee endured a harsh reception from fans at Old Trafford when he was substituted in the first half during Manchester United’s clash with Newcastle.
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The game was a nightmare for Ruben Amorim’s side, who fell 2-0 behind within 19 minutes, courtesy of goals from Alexander Isak and Joelinton.
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle dominated early on, forcing Amorim to make a bold move just 33 minutes into the match. Zirkzee was replaced by Kobbie Mainoo, a decision met with jeers from the crowd, leaving the Dutch striker visibly shaken.
The summer signing left the substitutes’ bench and headed straight down the tunnel amidst the harsh reaction.
Manchester United legend Gary Neville, providing commentary for Sky Sports, sympathized with Zirkzee, describing the crowd’s treatment as unprecedented. “I actually feel sorry for him,” Neville remarked. “I’ve been coming to Old Trafford for 43 years, and I’ve never seen anything like this.”
As Zirkzee made his way down the tunnel, Neville added, “He’s had enough, and I don’t blame him. It’s embarrassing. He hasn’t played well, but neither has anyone else on the team.”
Neville then offered a scathing critique of Amorim’s struggling squad, branding them “the worst pound-for-pound football team in the country.”
Zirkzee, who eventually returned to the bench, has struggled to find form since his summer move from Bologna, scoring only four goals in all competitions. However, he has been playing in a team that looks increasingly out of its depth.
Heading into the Newcastle clash, Manchester United were languishing in 14th place in the Premier League, and their first-half performance did little to suggest an imminent turnaround.
