Joshua Zirkzee’s start to life at Manchester United has been anything but smooth, but under the guidance of Ruben Amorim, the young forward appears to be turning a corner. After a £36.5 million move from Bologna, Zirkzee initially struggled to make an impact, scoring just once and providing two assists prior to Sunday’s match against Everton. His performances drew criticism from both fans and pundits, and even Amorim publicly challenged him to adopt a more aggressive approach in the penalty area, rather than hovering at its edges.
Against Everton, however, Zirkzee showcased the transformation Amorim’s tactical adjustments have brought about. Playing as a second striker, the 22-year-old delivered a standout performance in United’s dominant 4-0 win. He opened the scoring with a determined run to latch onto a precise pass from Bruno Fernandes, who had pounced on an error by Jarrad Branthwaite. Zirkzee’s finish was clinical, marking only his second goal of the season. In the second half, he added a second goal, this time assisted by Amad Diallo, demonstrating his renewed confidence and efficiency in front of goal.
This commanding display has silenced his critics and offered hope that Zirkzee can fulfill his potential as a key player for Manchester United.
