Booed by his own supporters after being subbed in the first half against Newcastle, five months after signing, Zirkzee could have been forgiven for giving up on his Manchester United career before it had even began.
A goal on debut for Zirkzee, a fine finish to secure a late season-opening victory over Fulham, did little to temper any excitement. Talk after the match was just what role the 23-year-old was going to fulfil – he wasn’t a number nine or a No 10 but revelled in being described as a “9.5”.
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As the boos rung out in late December 33 minutes in, a clearly distressed Zirkzee seemed destined to become the latest young talent to be wasted where careers go to flop: Old Trafford.
Despite his early struggles, the effort – something conspicuous by its absence among many of his team-mates – has not diminished.
Joshua Zirkzee was praised by Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim (Photo: Getty)
The touches. The creative flair. The willingness to run at defenders. The fact Zirkzee, after all he has been through, could put on such a performance of swagger in the crucial return leg, in this beleaguered team that often seems stuck in some sort of dystopian nightmare, especially domestically, deserves the utmost acclaim.
One particular moment on Thursday night, however, suggested a revitalised Zirkzee can have that impact Amorim is crying out for.
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Having got to the byline, he still had the awareness to pick out Rasmus Hojlund, who somehow contrived to miss from inside the six-yard box.
That inability to make chances count in the rest of the second half Amorim was eluding to tarnished an all-action display, but, perhaps some, this writer included, still owe Zirkzee an apology.
Had he left in January, there would have been few disappointed by such an early exit. Now, the fleet-footed comeback kid has as good a chance as any of leading any United season salvation.
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