I don't disagree at all, but my answer was in the context of why fans might be more supportive of one over the other.
11
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 49
- Goals
- 7
- Assists
- 2
- Yellow cards
- 3
Stopping Amad from getting card #2 for over-celebrating the second goal is his best contribution so far.
Would have made for great trivia if he hadn’t though!
Would have made for great trivia if he hadn’t though!
That's not the point mate. If you are a striker who's been heavily criticized, you should be thinking about taking the opportunity to score the winner at Anfield. You should have the confidence and self belief to take that shot. Every top striker in the game would be taking the shot in that situation. He might have missed of course, but everyone misses. It's not having the courage to take the shot that is more worrying.
Shoot and maybe that’s his iconic moment.
But I feel the way people go on about it, getting boo’d was his iconic moment.
But I feel the way people go on about it, getting boo’d was his iconic moment.
His pass wasn't optimal. All in all, I understand why he passed, he just needed to make sure it was flawless which wasn't the case. He showed he's not strong mentally and he even fecked up a "simple" pass. Squaring a pass to Maguire and taking a shot for myself as striker, I would which one I'd prefer
Don’t want to pile on him. When he came on he actually did a few good things. That cross field pass that he like spun across the turf to open pool up was quite sexy. However I can not for the life of me work out why he decided to play the ball across to Harry like that.
He kind of chops at it so it was always going to bobble. Maybe he was trying to fake a shot but just made no sense. Harry is a premier league footballer so you’d expect him to be able to at least get that on target but Zirkzee made it more difficult than it needed to be.
He kind of chops at it so it was always going to bobble. Maybe he was trying to fake a shot but just made no sense. Harry is a premier league footballer so you’d expect him to be able to at least get that on target but Zirkzee made it more difficult than it needed to be.
Passing was the right decision, the problem was it wasn't a great pass!
Maguire should still do better but Zirkzee ensured the chance was much harder than it needed to be.
Again though, let's get behind him and give him a season. There's clearly some ability there, he's just a very unique player.
Maguire should still do better but Zirkzee ensured the chance was much harder than it needed to be.
Again though, let's get behind him and give him a season. There's clearly some ability there, he's just a very unique player.
Because he considered the shot then changed his mind when he saw 2 Liverpool players getting back to cover the angle I would imagine. By then he sort of had to hook it backwards.
The pass took more courage, very easy to just put your foot through it. Takes courage and intelligence to play a pass to a player in a better position.
Shame he stabbed it into ground putting spin and air on the ball making it difficult for Maguire to control the shot.
Right decision poor execution.
The pass was the right option. I felt he did well and fought hard, even won the ball back with pressing
This is an interesting stance. The truth is that most people slating him for passing would be moaning about Rashford being selfish if he smashed that ball into Alisson's chest.
Both choices are ultimately fine, the ball just bobbled a bit and it was a defender in that position.
I don’t think shooting crossed his mind tbh. Martinez scored from virtually the same position on the opposite side. Keane said he passed to Maguire due to low confidence, but only way strikers improve confidence is by taking chances presented.
The choice to pass was stupid in the first place.
You’re a striker mate, scoring is your bread and butter and you’re passing to your centre back?!
Any half decent striker would have buried that, passing wouldn’t even been an option to consider.
Seen so many players over the years take the easy choice and smash it straight into the keepers chest or side netting.
Takes intelligence to square it. It's one thing about zirkzee I have noticed is he does seem to have good footballing intelligence, his decision making seems to be really good.
Shame the pass wasn't great and it was Maguire he was squaring to.
fecking horrendous takes in here. Passing to a player in a better position to score - and win the game - is always the better option than trying to take on the more difficult shot yourself. The pass wasnt perfect, but a professional footballer should be more than able to get a clean connection and score from where Maguire was - it doesnt matter if you are a striker, a CB or a goalkeeper.
If the roles were reversed and Zirkzee missed that chance, people in this thread would be out for blood. If Zirkzee took the shot on himself rather than pass, and didnt score, the same people would be out for blood. As it is, he made the correct choice. The execution wasnt perfect but it was good enough that Maguire shouldve scored. And still people here are baying for blood. Its pathetic.
I fully expect Zirkzee will be off in January, and so be it. That said, its utterly shameful the way he has been treated after barely half a season at the club. Boo'ed off, subbed off after 30 minutes and made into a massive scapegoat and public enemy #1 for half of the 'fans'. There are plenty of players that take time to adjust to the premier league. Zirkzee needs to improve his intensity and the speed of his play. I would hope that a good coach could do that with him, rather than just immediately shipping him off.
Hojlund cost twice as much, and went a hell of a long time last season before scoring. Zirkzee should be given a chance to prove that he is capable of performing at a PL level, without immediately getting piled on. He is clearly bereft of confidence and who can blame him? Credit to the away fans that cheered him when he came on today, classy thing to do.
If the roles were reversed and Zirkzee missed that chance, people in this thread would be out for blood. If Zirkzee took the shot on himself rather than pass, and didnt score, the same people would be out for blood. As it is, he made the correct choice. The execution wasnt perfect but it was good enough that Maguire shouldve scored. And still people here are baying for blood. Its pathetic.
I fully expect Zirkzee will be off in January, and so be it. That said, its utterly shameful the way he has been treated after barely half a season at the club. Boo'ed off, subbed off after 30 minutes and made into a massive scapegoat and public enemy #1 for half of the 'fans'. There are plenty of players that take time to adjust to the premier league. Zirkzee needs to improve his intensity and the speed of his play. I would hope that a good coach could do that with him, rather than just immediately shipping him off.
Hojlund cost twice as much, and went a hell of a long time last season before scoring. Zirkzee should be given a chance to prove that he is capable of performing at a PL level, without immediately getting piled on. He is clearly bereft of confidence and who can blame him? Credit to the away fans that cheered him when he came on today, classy thing to do.
I was glad to hear the commentary team say that the United fans in the away end were cheering for Zirkzee when he was warming up on the sidelines - so fair play to our away support for doing that.
Now onto that decision to pass the ball to Maguire at the end of the match. Here is my take on it:
Zirkzee made the absolutely Correct decision to square the ball to Maguire
But, Zirkzee made the absolutely Wrong decision to play the pass the way he did... it was a horrendous pass! Not even a striker would have been best pleased to have received a bobbling ball to him for a first time finish. A pass along the floor was the pass he Should have done!
I think it's time to move him on, and I'm not just basing that on the pass he did today, I'm basing it on everything I have seen about him up to now in a United shirt. For me his languid style reminds me of Berbatov, but the difference being that Berbatov was a much better striker... and despite his laid-back style, at least he could be bothered to pull his socks up!
Now onto that decision to pass the ball to Maguire at the end of the match. Here is my take on it:
Zirkzee made the absolutely Correct decision to square the ball to Maguire
But, Zirkzee made the absolutely Wrong decision to play the pass the way he did... it was a horrendous pass! Not even a striker would have been best pleased to have received a bobbling ball to him for a first time finish. A pass along the floor was the pass he Should have done!
I think it's time to move him on, and I'm not just basing that on the pass he did today, I'm basing it on everything I have seen about him up to now in a United shirt. For me his languid style reminds me of Berbatov, but the difference being that Berbatov was a much better striker... and despite his laid-back style, at least he could be bothered to pull his socks up!
This reminds me of a debate Lineker and Shearer were having about a situation similar to the one Zirkzee found himself in today. The question was asked as to whether you would pass to a player who maybe was in a better position to score than you and Lineker said no, he would always go for the shot because if he didnt, there's more of a chance of things going wrong, i.e the pass might be bad or the other player gets the shot wrong, etc.
We saw exactly that happen today. But I think a confident Zirzkee would've gone for the shot.
We saw exactly that happen today. But I think a confident Zirzkee would've gone for the shot.
Some people are wild with their over criticism of his cutback... Yes it bobbled so what? He disguised it well and it was accurate, there is no way that was down to him
Looked bright when he came on, I think he will leave but there's definitely talent there.
Looked bright when he came on, I think he will leave but there's definitely talent there.
Any other take than this seems crazy to me. Right decision, poorly hit and it bobbled, Maguire did what a CB is gonna do 90% of the time.
He takes the shot on himself if more confident
They really shouldn't be talked of in the same breath.I was glad to hear the commentary team say that the United fans in the away end were cheering for Zirkzee when he was warming up on the sidelines - so fair play to our away support for doing that.
Now onto that decision to pass the ball to Maguire at the end of the match. Here is my take on it:
Zirkzee made the absolutely Correct decision to square the ball to Maguire
But, Zirkzee made the absolutely Wrong decision to play the pass the way he did... it was a horrendous pass! Not even a striker would have been best pleased to have received a bobbling ball to him for a first time finish. A pass along the floor was the pass he Should have done!
I think it's time to move him on, and I'm not just basing that on the pass he did today, I'm basing it on everything I have seen about him up to now in a United shirt. For me his languid style reminds me of Berbatov, but the difference being that Berbatov was a much better striker... and despite his laid-back style, at least he could be bothered to pull his socks up!
Just watched it again, scoring from that angle is slim. Keeper came out and 2 defenders managed to get back on the line. It’s a narrow angle.
Passing was the best option, think people are going overboard. Had he taken a shot, people would complain why he didn’t pass.
Nature of man, always complains.
Passing was the best option, think people are going overboard. Had he taken a shot, people would complain why he didn’t pass.
Nature of man, always complains.
And it also has to be said the condition of the pitch was shit. He would have been murdered if he shot and did not score, so either way people complain.
In the end, I thought he did well overall and showed more determination and a better work rate.
The problem was the quality of the pass. Course Harry could have done better but its such a simple pass to make.
Him and Dalot, if they keep the ball on the floor, we win.
I can't fathom that people are jumping on Zirkzee for passing rather than shooting. It was absolutely the correct decision, and he should actually be praised for making it in a high-pressure situation. Too often you see players taking low percentage shots when there are much better options available, and I guarantee that we'd all be on him if he'd decided to shoot and Alisson had saved it, the shot had been blocked, or it'd gone over (at least one of which would be fairly likely given the angle).
The pass itself could've been better but I think the basic truth of the matter is that it's simply unfortunate that the chance fell to Maguire. That's not a slight on Maguire specifically but rather a recognition that you'd expect a half-decent forward to bury that chance. I think the biggest issue, perhaps, is that I'm not sure there's anyone in our squad that I'd be fully confident in doing so!
The pass itself could've been better but I think the basic truth of the matter is that it's simply unfortunate that the chance fell to Maguire. That's not a slight on Maguire specifically but rather a recognition that you'd expect a half-decent forward to bury that chance. I think the biggest issue, perhaps, is that I'm not sure there's anyone in our squad that I'd be fully confident in doing so!
Was it offside?
I would have thought so and also the commentator said most likely offside
It looked offside to be honest. I agree with the decision to pass, given that it was maguire it would've been better had it not bobbled. Were it Amad, Burno or Garnacho instead of maguire, they would've probably burried that.
pass or no pass - hes still crap.
Yeah, watching it again this morning...not intending to pile on Zirkzee (understand also he wanted to disguise the pass and 'chop' it, hence the bobble) and not absolving Maguire..but it was about a foot off the ground when Maguire hit it...there's not many of our players I'd back to definitely score that!
Yeah I remember that conversation as well and I agree. He has the opportunity for a shot across goal and with two of our players in the box there's a good chance they'd have followed up if the keeper saved it.
He just dallied until the two defenders blocked the angle and then had to cut back last minute hence the rushed pass.
People overreacting to the commentary on the chance as if he's being called out for us losing the game. Always so dramatic from some.
Garnacho/Rashford shoot when there are partners in a better position... this is everything that's wrong with our forwards, they can't assess the situation properly and go for glory!
Zirkzee passes the ball to a partner in a better position... he's a striker, he should've had the balls to take the shot himself.
I feel like there's a certain inconsistency in caf's takes. If your decision didn't lead to a goal, you're fecked either way. Zirkzee was absolutely right to make that pass — the angle was tight and Alisson, one of the world's best keepers, was in a good position and ready to react. And the pass itself wasn't even that bad, it was alright even though it could've been cleaner, Maguire had no right to miss the goal entirely from that spot.
Zirkzee passes the ball to a partner in a better position... he's a striker, he should've had the balls to take the shot himself.
I feel like there's a certain inconsistency in caf's takes. If your decision didn't lead to a goal, you're fecked either way. Zirkzee was absolutely right to make that pass — the angle was tight and Alisson, one of the world's best keepers, was in a good position and ready to react. And the pass itself wasn't even that bad, it was alright even though it could've been cleaner, Maguire had no right to miss the goal entirely from that spot.
I think it should be made clear that a top striker for a big club should be taking that on, and scoring it. It's not like Maguire had an open goal to shoot into. It was far from a lay off for a tap in.
Van Nistelrooy, Van Persie, Rooney, Ronaldo, Cole, Cantona. Do you think any of them pass the ball there? 2-2 in injury time at Anfield. Not a chance.
Its also a player that has just been booed off the stadium in the previous match, comming on in the biggest match of the season. Him actually making the pass despite all of that pressure was a good sign to me.
Funny how Cole gets mentioned in this thread and Højlunds. He would have been crucified by this fanbase before Yorke arrived and helped him get going.
Maguire was in the middle of the area, he was in a much better position regardless. I really don't get the fuss, if Zirkzee had shot and either missed or it had been saved people would be screaming there was someone in a better position.
The pass bobbling, it's not like field conditions were great. But it wasn't anywhere near impossible to get that on target.
To me it's much the same as people criticising Dalot's cross, instead of Amad misjudging it.
Yeah I agree with this, my only critique is the pass should be along the ground, regardless Maguire should hit the target, shame it wasn’t the winner as I feel we deserved it.
Nah, it was the smarter option. Keeper closing the shot/out of position and 2 defenders trying to close the goal. If he shoots and misses everyone says he's incredibly stupid for not passing for an (almost certain) goal by Maguire.
Was offside anyway
Just watched it again too, the annoying thing about the pass is he didn’t need to disguise it that much, the defenders were covering the shot so he should have been able to pass along the ground without trying to chop it. Right decision to pass, poor execution.
He’s only good when he came on from the bench. Other than the Everton game, everytime he started, he was terrible. The Newcastle game was the peak of his terrible game. Yesterday, he did well but that bouncy pass to Maguire was awful, which made it awkward for Maguire to control his shot especially for a defender trying to finish it.