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Joshua Zirkzee slammed by former Manchester United star

 

Joshua Zirkzee has not pleased Paul Parker, a former Manchester United and England defender, who believes the attacker does not seem fit.


The 23-year-old joined from Bologna in the summer for £36.5 million following a successful season in Serie A, where he scored 11 league goals.



The Netherlands international had a great start to life with the Red Devils, coming off the bench to score the winner in his debut against Fulham on the first day of the season.


He has not scored since, despite starting three games and making another substitute appearance.



Parker is unimpressed by Zirkzee and expects Rasmus Hojlund to replace him in the starting lineup now that the Danish striker has returned to fitness.


‘Once Hojlund returns from injury, he will start because you require a focal point. “He’s needed,” Parker told bettingexpert.com. ‘I don’t see how Zirkzee gets on the squad. Who do you take out to bring him in? Do you take out a wide player?

Unless Ten Hag alters the system, I can’t see how Zirkzee plays, and I’m not sure what his optimum position is. Can he get the ball back? When he starts a game, his socks are around his ankles, and he appears like he’s already run a half marathon. I am not sure how fit he is.

‘His runs lack a tremendous burst or change of pace. He’s pretty one-paced. I honestly don’t know. [Former England manager Fabio] Capello stated that the speed of the game in England had taken Zirkzee off surprise.

Parker was a right-back by trade and believes Erik ten Hag has an issue on the opposite side of his defense with Luke Shaw still out injured.

The England international has not played for Manchester United since February due to a hamstring injury. He returned for his country at Euro 2024, but has now sustained a calf injury and will not be available until next month.

 

‘The major difficulty with the defence right now is that they don’t have a left-footed left back due to Shaw’s injury,’ Parker explained. ‘[Diogo] Dalot has done an excellent job, but you still need that outlet. It is an issue. That wide left player, Rashford, would benefit from having a left-footed left back.

 

‘It will be fascinating to see how Shaw fits in whenever he returns. There’s no time to waste. It’s ridiculous that Luke Shaw traveled to the Euros when he shouldn’t have.

The England international has not played for Manchester United since February due to a hamstring injury. He returned for his country at Euro 2024, but has now sustained a calf injury and will not be available until next month.

 

‘The major difficulty with the defence right now is that they don’t have a left-footed left back due to Shaw’s injury,’ Parker explained. ‘[Diogo] Dalot has done an excellent job, but you still need that outlet. It is an issue. That wide left player, Rashford, would benefit from having a left-footed left back.

 

‘It will be fascinating to see how Shaw fits in whenever he returns. There’s no time to waste. It’s ridiculous that Luke Shaw traveled to the Euros when he shouldn’t have.

 

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