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Despite being a goal and a man down, Manchester United battled past Ipswich Town in their Premier League clash on Wednesday to ultimately clinch a 3-2 win at Old Trafford.
Patrick Dorgu’s red card will likely be the main talking point from the game but Ruben Amorim will be pleased with the improvement in the team’s mentality.
All three of the hosts’ goals came from set-pieces with skipper Bruno Fernandes and the entire back three impressing under the lights.
There were familiar struggles up top with Rasmus Hojlund once again putting in an anonymous shift but Joshua Zirkzee has certainly turned the corner in his still nascent United career.
Booed off in the first half against Newcastle not too long ago, the ex-Bologna ace went off amid thunderous applause against the Tractor Boys.
Great turnaround for Zirkzee
He put in quite the shift and worked hard both on and off the ball. Amorim’s tweak to play him as a No 10 instead of up top has certainly brought out the best in the Netherlands international.
Zirkzee dropped deep to link up play and his ability to retain possession under pressure was key, especially with the Red Devils being a man light.
After a disappointing first-half of the campaign, there were numerous rumours linking the 23-year-old with a January exit, just six months after arriving in Manchester.
But former United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Zirkzee’s hard work both on and off the pitch had impressed coaches and even if the 20-time English league champions were to sign a striker next summer, his place in the squad remains secure.
“He’s certainly improved in recent weeks. And that’s because he’s showing a bit of desire and fight to get on the ball and make things happen, even if it doesn’t always come off. That’s the way you improve and get things going in your favour. Ruben Amorim and his coaches will take note of that and will want to work with it.
“He’s dropped into a bit of a new role recently, playing behind the main number nine, and that’s where they’re getting the best out of him. It looks like being a long-term thing because they’ve accepted he’s not going to be their striker.
“They’re still looking at options in the transfer market, but I don’t think that will affect Zirkzee. He’s got to keep putting the building blocks in place to develop his game, keep improving and keep working hard on and off the pitch.
Set to stay at United
“But where I think there were questions about his place at the club before, I don’t think those questions will be there any more. As long as he keeps working hard, he’s going to have a role in the squad, and that’s down to himself and the effort he has put in to earn a place. I think a few others in this team could learn a thing or two from that.”
The last part of the statement might have been aimed at the likes of Marcus Rashford, who downed tools as soon as he encountered criticism, while Hojlund seems to be regressing every week.
One thing Brown was spot on about was the hard work being put in behind the scenes by Zirkzee, something Amorim had acknowledged after the Tottenham Hotspur game a couple of weeks ago.
“I think Josh is not a clear [number] nine, he played more as a 10 [attacking midfielder]. He’s stronger physically, he’s thinner, he’s working really hard, and he plays in a better position for him. He’s improving, he’s winning more duels and he’s even faster, you feel that in the game, and that helps to make the decision.”
The Dutch forward has lost a lot of weight since his move to Old Trafford, which has helped him deal with the pace of the Premier League. And while he is not a natural striker, Amorim’s use of twin attacking midfielders up front certainly fits in with Zirkzee’s strengths as a player.
Feature image Alex Livesey via Getty Images
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