Gary Neville says Joshua Zirkzee wasn’t best pleased that Lisandro Martinez was called upon to replace Bruno Fernandes instead of him.
When Aston Villa and Manchester United exited down the tunnel for the interval, it was expected that Bruno Fernandes would not emerge for the second half – at least not to continue playing, anyway.
What happened to Bruno Fernandes vs Villa?
United’s skipper had shown some discomfort towards the closing stages of the first half after it looked as though he had pulled his hamstring.
Neville subsequently spotted Fernandes signalling to Ruben Amorim and the coaching staff that he was unable to continue, and they took heed of his requests during the break.
Yet, when the game was about to get back underway at Villa Park, Neville said he was ‘surprised’ to see that it was Martinez coming off the bench to replace the midfielder.
Martinez is, of course, a natural centre-back, although he has overseen several shifts in midfield, most notable during his Ajax days.
Zirkzee felt aggrieved by late substitution
Shortly before Fernandes’ withdrawal, Neville pointed out that Amorim had told Zirkzee to go and warm up, suggesting the Dutchman would be first in line to enter the fray in his skipper’s absence.
When it was then confirmed that wouldn’t be the case, Neville said Zirkzee ‘doesn’t look like he’s too happy’ with the decision.
The forward did eventually get a run of action, albeit 28 minutes later than he’d hoped, as Zirkzee came on in the 73rd minute to replace Manuel Ugarte.
He was unable to add to his goal tally in the 17 minutes he was on the pitch, and United slumped to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the in-form Villans.
Until Amourim leaves, no headway for man utd.
How can a manager play with 8 defenders (including the keeper). How on earth would 3 attackers overshadow 5 or 6 villa defenders.
How do u replace an attacking midfielder with a natural defender.
I had expected Amourim to bring on Zikzee, and deployed mount to fenandes position.
Amourim is technically deficient.
Keep him, and kill man utd
Amorim seems clueless with what he’s doing, zirkzee could had done better while mount drop to midfield
Until the owners of this club learn to ignore know it alls like yourself, that are everywhere these days, due to the growth of the internet and social media, making headway is going to be tougher for us than any other club because of who we are and the attention we attract.
In reply to your point I would ‘assume’ the manager did not want to move mount from a position he has been playing well in recently, and more importantly today, to deploy him in a role although probably capable but has never featured in since a failed attempt under ten hag.
Let’s not discuss the fact that Martinez actually played very well, as that would not help your argument would it?
Amorim has a far far superior understanding of the technicalities you preach to know better, than you ever will, so do us all and yourself a favour and wind your neck in.
Keep this “know better than the manager” bs going and help to continue killing the club.
Thanks in advance.
Keep him. He knows Manuel can’t hold the game too much. Let’s give him money and some time. He is good on the ball, best in the market……. give him semenyo or quenda and Wharton as well as ederson ,stiller and see him again
Manchester united are soo useless. And should explain to the fans the secret behind Amorim still managing Manchester United till now. Today’s game is enough evidence to get him sacked. Sack this empty brained man now before he sack Manchester United from EPL. What a stubborn difficult guy. I hate him
Wise up
Give him more transfer