Man Utd lost 0-1 to Everton, Zirkzee disappointed when replacing Sesko.
Replacing Benjamin Sesko, Joshua Zirkzee had 35 touches, completed 60% of his passes, and only managed a header in the 80th minute; Man Utd lost 0-1 to Everton despite having a man advantage at Old Trafford.
Manchester United suffered a 0-1 defeat to Everton at Old Trafford despite playing with a man advantage in the second half. At the heart of the story was Joshua Zirkzee: replacing the injured Benjamin Sesko, the Dutch striker was ineffective with 35 touches, 12 turnovers, a 60% passing accuracy, no successful dribbles, and only managing his first shot in the 80th minute. His two close-range headers lacked power and failed to beat Jordan Pickford.
Sesko's gap and problem number 9
Zirkzee was forced into the role of a makeshift center forward when both Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha were injured. This was a rare opportunity for him to prove himself in the Premier League, but the 24-year-old's movement and positioning lacked cohesion. Compared to the supporting players like Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo, or Amad Diallo who worked hard to carry the creative burden, Zirkzee was often slow and failed to exploit the spaces between Everton's two central defenders.
As a result, Man Utd's attacking structure was disjointed, lacking a focal point to stretch the visitors' defense. Even with a man advantage after the break, United still lacked a decisive touch from their number 9 to initiate a winning attack.
The data shows why United are struggling.
| Index | Value |
|---|---|
| Match duration | 90 minutes |
| Touch the ball | 35 |
| Loss of possession | 12 |
| Passing accuracy rate | 60% |
| Through successful people | 0 |
| First shot | 80th minute |
| Header from close range | Both phases lack power. |
| A clear opportunity was not seized. | 1 |
These statistics contradict the demands of a center forward in a match where the home team dominates both possession and numbers. When one-on-one situations aren't created and headers lack power, United lose their option for direct penetration through the midfield.
Expert perspective and pressure to perform
After the match, former striker Michael Owen commented:"To be honest, I've never seen Zirkzee as a remarkable striker. He doesn't fit what United needs."
The 0-1 defeat against Everton added to the tense atmosphere. This was the first time Man Utd had lost at Old Trafford despite an opponent receiving a red card, ending a run of 36 wins and 10 draws in their previous 46 visits. At the same time, it was David Moyes' first victory at Old Trafford after 18 appearances, increasing the pressure on Ruben Amorim's team.
Zirkzee's uncertain future
Zirkzee's problems aren't just about his on-field form. His future at Man Utd is becoming uncertain, amid reports of interest from AS Roma. After a successful spell at Bologna, the 24-year-old striker hoped to maintain his momentum in the Premier League, but his frequent benching has affected his chances of competing for a World Cup spot.
In the press conference before the match against Everton, manager Ruben Amorim said he understood the players' impatience before the World Cup, but the club's best interests remained his top priority. Looking at Zirkzee's performance at Old Trafford, that message became even clearer.
Zirkzee had a rare opportunity to turn his career around at Man Utd. But with an unconvincing performance and mounting pressure to perform, the door to Old Trafford is closing faster than ever.