Manchester United’s season is going from bad to worse and striker Joshua Zirkzee felt the brunt of the fans’ frustrations at Old Trafford against Newcastle.
The Red Devils were unable to live with the intensity and quality of the Magpies in the first half on Monday night and found themselves 2-0 down 30 minutes in.
Alexander Isak scored after four minutes before Joelinton added a second not long after.
The deficit caused Ruben Amorim to make an early change, taking off Zirkzee for Kobbie Mainoo half-hour into the match.
As his name was announced, it was met with the loudest cheer of the night and then boos as he made his way off.
Zirkzee looked lost on the pitch and headed straight to the corner of the stadium and down the tunnel, before re-emerging five minutes later.
“I feel sorry for him, there’s a human being in there…” 🎙
Joshua Zirkzee is replaced by Kobbie Mainoo after half an hour. pic.twitter.com/v9FBAvkK3x
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 30, 2024
Gary Neville, who was on co-commentary for the match on Sky Sports, admitted his treatment from fans was brutal.
He said: “I have to feel sorry for him. He has basically been cheered off by his own fans and that is brutal. I’ve not seen that too many times at Old Trafford.
“You are watching the worst pound-for-pound football club in the country. They are that bad.”
Zirkzee was never at the races, misplacing plenty of passes and barely getting involved in the final third.
The change in formation from Amorim helped United get more of a foothold in the game but the damage already looked to be done heading into the break.